Child drowning in Indonesia: insights from parental and community perspectives and practices

Abstract

Abstract Child drowning is a significant public health issue in Indonesia, however, there is insufficient understanding of the issue and its associated risk factors within communities. This qualitative study aimed to explore parental and community perceptions and practices related to child drowning in Indonesian communities, and the perceived causes and risk factors. Seven focus group discussions (n = 62) were conducted with parents of children aged under-5 years and village community leaders in seven villages across all districts of Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara Province of Indonesia. Participants were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling. The thematic analysis, guided by Braun and Clarke’s framework, used both deductive approaches, utilizing the Health Belief Model’s constructs and inductive approaches. Most participants were unaware of the susceptibility of their children and others in their community to drowning and of the potential severe outcomes of drowning such as injury, disability and death. Participants generally associated drowning with beaches or open seas. Unprotected wells, tubs and buckets were identified as notable risk factors for child drowning in and around the home, shaped by some experience of child drowning incidents in the community. Supervision was identified as protective factor, however, mothers were often unavailable to supervise children, and supervision responsibility was often delegated to other family and community members. This study highlights the urgent need to enhance public awareness regarding children’s susceptibility to drowning. Further exploration of local contexts and social determinants of drowning in Indonesian communities is crucial for ensuring effective water safety and drowning prevention strategies.