期刊名称：Sri Lanka Journal of Forensic Medicine, Science & Law
印刷版ISSN：2012-7081
电子版ISSN：2465-6089
出版年度：2020
卷号：11
期号：2
页码：1-8
DOI：10.4038/sljfmsl.v11i2.7857
出版社：University of Peradeniya
摘要：Introduction: Deaths following drowning are a common occurrence in Sri Lanka. Individuals drown in different circumstances like suicides, accidents and homicides. A study of this nature would be useful for prevention of such incidences and as a baseline for future studies. Objectives: With regard to victims of drowning to determine; the demographic profile, circumstances, autopsy findings and contributory factors for drowning. Methodology: Information was extracted from records of 59 drowning cases in the years 2008-2017. Data were analysed using the statistical package SPSS Version 22. Results: Majority of deaths (37.3%) were within the age of 11-30 years. Twenty-six-point five percent (26.5%) of accidental deaths were within the age group 11-20 years. The circumstances were accident (57.6%), suicide (22 %) and not known whether accident or suicide (20.3%). The common places of accidental drowning were sea (20%), Tank (20%) and canal (18 %.) The well was the most common place for suicides (54%). Majority of victims were unemployed (37%) and labourers (25%). Froth in the nostrils (54.2%), Emphysematous expanded lungs (63%), rib indentation on the lungs (61%) froth in the airways (61%) and pulmonary oedema (66%) were observations which were suggestive of drowning. Environmental factors (41%) and alcohol consumption (20%) are among the possible contributory factors. Conclusion: Majority of the deaths are accidental. Environmental factors and alcohol consumption may play contributory roles. Awareness programmes targeting young adults will minimize accidental deaths.
