MORTALITY FROM DROWNING IN THE STATE OF AMAZONAS: AN ECOLOGICAL STUDY (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Aspiration of liquid by submersion characterizes the definition of drowning. Knowledge of the extensive river volume and the number of riverside communities in Amazonas is fundamental in analyzing the number of deaths from this disease in the region. The imperative of immediate treatment for drowning victims characterizes the issue as a medical emergency. However, the distance between communities and hospitals and the lack of public policies aimed at preventing drowning are obstacles to reducing the number of deaths from this important cause in the area. The objective of this study was to describe the frequency of deaths due to emergencies from external causes in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, focusing on accidental drownings in natural waters. An ecological study was carried out, with data extracted from the Mortality Information System (SIM/Datasus), in the years 2012 to 2021. From the database, mortality information was selected due to the occurrence of code W69 - drowning and submersion in natural waters of ICD - 10, referring to macro-regions of health, race, education, age group, gender and marital status. Data from 1,167 cases of death due to drowning in waters of the Amazonas natural river basin were included in the analyses, 88% of which were male, with a higher prevalence in the 20 to 29-year-old age group (20%), mixed race (77%) and singles (67%) with 4 to 7 years of education (29%), mainly in the Central health macro-region (65%). The study brought to light a notable and worrying finding: men aged 20 to 29 years had a higher prevalence of deaths due to drowning than children under 10 years of age. This result signals the need for a reassessment of public prevention and health education strategies, especially when considering that adult individuals must be more responsible and aware of their capabilities.