Lessons learned through the 20-year development of a national fatal drowning database in Australia
Abstract Background Co-ordinated, evidence-based policy and programmatic efforts are needed to respond to complex drowning prevention problems. Comprehensive, current, and robust data are vital for agenda setting, burden and risk factor identification, intervention design and evaluation, as well as...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16392-2 |
| _version_ | 1797451173755617280 |
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| author | Amy E Peden Stacey Willcox-Pidgeon Justin-Paul Scarr Richard C Franklin |
| author_facet | Amy E Peden Stacey Willcox-Pidgeon Justin-Paul Scarr Richard C Franklin |
| author_sort | Amy E Peden |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Co-ordinated, evidence-based policy and programmatic efforts are needed to respond to complex drowning prevention problems. Comprehensive, current, and robust data are vital for agenda setting, burden and risk factor identification, intervention design and evaluation, as well as setting policy. We aim to record methods used in, and identify impacts of, the development of a national fatal drowning database (NFDD) in Australia, including lessons learned across research, policy, and practice. Methods We employ a case study method using process mapping and document review to explore the evolution, drivers and impacts of the NFDD. We analyse methodological approaches including those relating to data definitions, drowning case collection, and management, as well as tracking the various outputs of the NFDD. We describe a development timeline that presents impact of drowning prevention policy, and research agendas on database development, and research investments more specifically. Results Our study identified that the collected variables grew 20-fold from 2002 to 2022, reaching 259 variables, and 5,692 unique cases of fatal drowning. The NFDD employs data triangulation methodology, combining keyword and targeted searches of coronial files, media report monitoring, and organisational data provision. Database development is influenced by the Australia Water Safety Strategy, policymaker and practitioner-initiated research agendas, and identification of knowledge gaps. We identified numerous outputs spanning publications, media, intervention development, and legislative submissions. Conclusion A comprehensive and robust NFDD informed by policymaker and practitioner input can enhance surveillance, policy, and intervention development for drowning prevention. Employing mixed data collection and validation methods can supplement weaknesses in official data sources. There is a need for the NFDD to continue to evolve in its application while maintaining rigorous case identification and data quality assurance processes. Despite significant investment, the outputs and influence on drowning prevention practice in Australia has been extremely valuable and contributed to sizeable reductions in Australia’s fatal drowning rate. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:50:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-19290cc09d484f648d8f5ce4eb66ae82 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:50:59Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-19290cc09d484f648d8f5ce4eb66ae822023-11-26T14:26:37ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582023-08-0123111010.1186/s12889-023-16392-2Lessons learned through the 20-year development of a national fatal drowning database in AustraliaAmy E Peden0Stacey Willcox-Pidgeon1Justin-Paul Scarr2Richard C Franklin3Royal Life Saving Society – AustraliaRoyal Life Saving Society – AustraliaRoyal Life Saving Society – AustraliaRoyal Life Saving Society – AustraliaAbstract Background Co-ordinated, evidence-based policy and programmatic efforts are needed to respond to complex drowning prevention problems. Comprehensive, current, and robust data are vital for agenda setting, burden and risk factor identification, intervention design and evaluation, as well as setting policy. We aim to record methods used in, and identify impacts of, the development of a national fatal drowning database (NFDD) in Australia, including lessons learned across research, policy, and practice. Methods We employ a case study method using process mapping and document review to explore the evolution, drivers and impacts of the NFDD. We analyse methodological approaches including those relating to data definitions, drowning case collection, and management, as well as tracking the various outputs of the NFDD. We describe a development timeline that presents impact of drowning prevention policy, and research agendas on database development, and research investments more specifically. Results Our study identified that the collected variables grew 20-fold from 2002 to 2022, reaching 259 variables, and 5,692 unique cases of fatal drowning. The NFDD employs data triangulation methodology, combining keyword and targeted searches of coronial files, media report monitoring, and organisational data provision. Database development is influenced by the Australia Water Safety Strategy, policymaker and practitioner-initiated research agendas, and identification of knowledge gaps. We identified numerous outputs spanning publications, media, intervention development, and legislative submissions. Conclusion A comprehensive and robust NFDD informed by policymaker and practitioner input can enhance surveillance, policy, and intervention development for drowning prevention. Employing mixed data collection and validation methods can supplement weaknesses in official data sources. There is a need for the NFDD to continue to evolve in its application while maintaining rigorous case identification and data quality assurance processes. Despite significant investment, the outputs and influence on drowning prevention practice in Australia has been extremely valuable and contributed to sizeable reductions in Australia’s fatal drowning rate.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16392-2EpidemiologyRisk factor analysisDeath registryDrowningWater safetyHealth policy |
| spellingShingle | Amy E Peden Stacey Willcox-Pidgeon Justin-Paul Scarr Richard C Franklin Lessons learned through the 20-year development of a national fatal drowning database in Australia BMC Public Health Epidemiology Risk factor analysis Death registry Drowning Water safety Health policy |
| title | Lessons learned through the 20-year development of a national fatal drowning database in Australia |
| title_full | Lessons learned through the 20-year development of a national fatal drowning database in Australia |
| title_fullStr | Lessons learned through the 20-year development of a national fatal drowning database in Australia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lessons learned through the 20-year development of a national fatal drowning database in Australia |
| title_short | Lessons learned through the 20-year development of a national fatal drowning database in Australia |
| title_sort | lessons learned through the 20 year development of a national fatal drowning database in australia |
| topic | Epidemiology Risk factor analysis Death registry Drowning Water safety Health policy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16392-2 |
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