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Aim: Injuries are a leading cause of death and disability for children and young people worldwide and a significant public health challenge. This updated review identifies and assesses public health interventions designed to prevent child drowning. It aimed to evaluate the global scope of literature and examine contributions made to the evidence since the last review was published. Subject and methods: The review follows processes established in previous reviews and recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Articles were peer-reviewed, published in English between 2011 and 2023 and described and evaluated child drowning primary prevention interventions. Fifteen databases were searched, and articles were managed in Endnote and Rayyan.AI. The MetaQAT framework was applied to quality appraisal. Results: We included a final sample of n= 43 studies. Most studies were from high-income countries and applied quantitative intervention designs. Just under half targeted children, most at the population level. Approximately one in three studies used behavioural theory to guide intervention development. Few studies reported formative research. Conclusion: The past decade has seen a threefold increase in the number of papers describing public health interventions to prevent children drowning. Despite this increase, interventions remain primarily educational, focusing on behavioural strategies. A call for more comprehensive and systems-level interventions that tackle the upstream determinants of child drowning is timely.

In Australia, the role of local governments authorities (LGAs) are diverse, ranging from waste collection to the provision of recreational facilities, such as parks. One strategy to improve parks is outdoor exercise equipment (OEE), and provide free, community‐based physical activity opportunities. We undertook an observational study to capture a profile and behaviour of park visitors and OEE users in 2012 and 2019. We compared observational data at two parks using the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) in March and June 2012 and 2019. Data were collected 6:30‐7:30 AM and 5:30‐6:30 PM weekdays; 8:30‐9:30 AM and 3:30 to 4:30 PM weekends. Two trained staff collected data concurrently. Total n = 1654 visitors were observed, most at Park One (68.0%; n = 1117), half were male (50.9%; n = 841). There were significant differences in the gender of visitors across the two parks (P< 0.001). Most visitors observed were young adults (42.6%; n = 705; P< 0.001). In 2012, 3.9% (n = 65) of all observed park visitors used the OEE, in 2019, this increased to 4.8 % (n = 78). The adage ‘Build it, and they will come’ did not resonate with the two parks' local community. The key challenge is attracting people to local parks making OEE use attractive and easy. There is a demand for the provision of active environments that are accessible and inexpensive. LGAs may hold the key to delivering this infrastructure supported by diverse strategies to engage and promote the benefits of being physically active for all ages.

Problem‐based learning (PBL) is a student‐directed pedagogy that promotes critical thinking, self‐directed learning and communication skills essential for health promotion students and practitioners. This paper reports on student results, student evaluation and staff experience of PBL in the face‐to‐face and fully online environment in an undergraduate health sciences unit in an Australian university. A single time‐point study using quantitative and qualitative administrative student data (2014–2020) and narrative reflection from teaching academics (n = 5) was undertaken. Descriptive, independent ttest and bivariate analyses for student results data were conducted; an inductive approach was used to analyse qualitative data and create codes. Student sample (n = 472) consisted face‐to‐face (n = 358, 75.8%) and online (n = 114, 24.2%) enrolments. Final Unit Mark was significantly higher for fully online students compared with face‐to‐face students in 2018 (P= .007) and 2019 (P= .001). Final Unit Achievement was significantly higher for fully online students compared with face‐to‐face students in 2018 (P= .017) and 2019 (P= .043). Three themes emerged: The PBL approach; Evolution of PBLs; Student skills and competencies. PBL allows students to learn through facilitated problem solving and strong collaborative skills. The face‐to‐face and fully online PBLs improved the student and academic staff experience, while supporting the development of critical thinking and self‐directed research. Further, it supported students to develop their core health promotion competencies; and enhanced the online student learning experience. Vital for contemporary, global graduates, the fully online PBL approach allows students to build critical academic and professional skills utilising current information technology relevant for collaborative professional practice.

Objective: To examine public submissions to a parliamentary inquiry on personal choice and community safety, exploring framing used to support or oppose current public health regulatory approaches. Methods: Descriptive content analysis summarised the characteristics of electronic submissions. Framing analysis examined submissions according to the devices: problem and causes; principles and values; recommendations; data and evidence; and salience. Results: We categorised one hundred and five (n=105) submissions by source as Individual, Industry, Public Health and Other. Individuals made more than half the submissions. Overarching frames were choice and rights (Individuals); progress and freedom (Industry); protection and responsibility (Public Health). Most submissions opposed current regulations. Cycling, including mandatory helmet legislation, was most cited, with three‐quarters of submissions opposing current legislation. Conclusions: Framing analysis provided insights into policy actor agendas concerning government regulation. We found a high degree of resistance to public health regulation that curtails individual autonomy across various health issues. Investigating the influence of different frames on community perception of public health regulation is warranted. Implications for public health: Action is required to counteract ‘nanny state’ framing by industry and to problematise community understanding of the ‘nanny state’ in the context of balancing the public's liberties and the public's health.

The aim of this study was to explore factors associated with drowning among older adults aged 65 years and over in Western Australia. This paper was concerned with illuminating older adults experience and perspectives of water safety and drowning prevention. The study used in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews (n = 15) to examine knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. The interviews were analysed using a phenomenological hermeneutical interpretation whereby three steps were taken to identify common patterns of meaning from individual's lifeworld. Interviews captured the voices of those who identified as swimmers and those who identified as nonswimmers and revealed nine constitutive patterns which support a central theme of life around water. This study provides insights into perceptions and experiences of water safety as individuals’ age. The findings suggest individuals who perceived themselves as strong swimmers had a decreased perception of risk, while participants who self‐identified as weak swimmers were more likely to avoid risks and modified their behaviour accordingly. Findings highlighted low water safety literacy and suggest that older people not only underestimate their drowning risk, but also lack an understanding of the risk factors for drowning. The findings from this study will have a direct impact on the development of a WA health promotion program to prevent drowning among older adults.

To examine public submissions to a parliamentary inquiry on personal choice and community safety, exploring framing used to support or oppose current public health regulatory approaches.

Aim: Water safety mass-media campaigns are used in public health though few are reported on in the literature. A key component is the use of television commercials (TVCs) to promote supervision of children in and around water. This article reports on the proximal impacts—awareness, comprehension, acceptance and intention—of two new Keep WatchTVCs, aired in Western Australia during the summer of 2017/18. Subjects and methods: Post-campaign, cross-sectional data were collected via online and intercept surveys. Data were collected between February and April 2018 (9 weeks). Self-reported responses (n= 257) from adults who were a parent/grandparent/carer of a child &lt; 5 years old in a home setting were evaluated to assess campaign awareness, comprehension, acceptance and intention consistent with a hierarchy of effects and monitoring of media effects approach. Results: Campaign awareness was 32.3% and comprehension was 83.0% TVC1 and 82.1% TVC2. Of those who comprehended the TVC messages 50% intended to take action. Findings demonstrated modest but positive campaign effects, given the relatively short time frame and limited media spend. Conclusion: This study is one of few water safety media campaigns to provide insights into awareness, comprehension, intention and acceptability of mass-media campaigns to prevent drowning. Findings suggest traditional media continue to play a role in reinforcing drowning prevention messages to parents particularly in increasing awareness of how to keep children safe in and around water.

ABSTRACTIssue Addressed: Alcohol and participation in aquatic activities are major risk factors for drowning, amongst young adults. This study explored and mapped young people’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding alcohol consumption and participation in aquatic activities using the Health Belief Model. Methods: Using a semi-structured guide, eight focus groups were conducted with young people, 18–24 years, in Perth (n = 41). Alcohol consumption and its combination with aquatic activity and media messages were discussed. Results: Participants reported having consumed alcohol and participated in water-based activities, typically during social events and celebrations. Participants identified key events, peer-presence and social acceptability of drinking as a cultural norm influencing young people’s decisions around mixing alcohol consumption and water-based activity. Conclusions: Consumption of alcohol around water is common practice amongst young adults increasing their risk of drowning. Young people are aware of the risks but also see a range of benefits. To shift cultural norms regarding alcohol consumption, risk-taking and water-based activity, further research would be beneficial to examine young people’s social influences. An intervention focus on young men may be beneficial given the overrepresentation of men in Western Australian fatal drowning statistics. So What? Findings support the emergence of an ‘aquatic alcogenic environment’. Well-resourced, long-term interventions are needed including those targeting self-efficacy and that contain segmented messages as well as environmental and social supports to address the impact of impairment or increased risk-taking resulting from alcohol consumption in aquatic environments.

Drowning is a leading cause of death globally. Opportunities to promote drowning prevention in news media may be overlooked for attention‐grabbing headlines, imagery and narrative. This study examines news media coverage of fatal drowning events in Western Australia (WA). Coronial fatal drowning data in WAwere extracted for two summer time periods (2014‐2016) by date, age, gender, location and description. Corresponding print and online news articles were captured using: (i) Media Alert; (ii) Google News; (iii) Factiva. A content and frame analysis protocol was developed. A qualitative approach was taken to analyse the news angle. A subgroup analysis was undertaken for drowning focused articles. The final sample (n = 50) news articles matched 17 individual drowning events (T1, n = 9; T2, n = 8). Drowning stories rarely appeared on page 1 (n = 2), but were located in the first 2‐10 pages (n = 20) (66.6%). In the subanalysis, one‐fifth (22%) of the articles employed a news angle relating to community spirit and celebration of life. There were 32 mentions of “who was responsible for the drowning event.” Environmental factors were most cited for “what was responsible” (20.4%). Experts were cited in 66.7% of articles and drowning prevention strategies were mentioned in nine of the 50 articles. Drowning was considered newsworthy; however, not the front page news. Reporting infrequently prioritised drowning prevention or discussed prevention strategies. Working closely with news outlets to embed drowning prevention messages in news stories during high‐risk periods such as summer is an imperative.

Over the past decade, mobile device use has increased significantly. Adults are now using their mobile device whilst undertaking a range of work and social activities. This naturalistic study aimed to understand parents/carers’ use of mobile devices and their associated beliefs about mobile device use whilst caring for children aged five and younger in playgrounds. A mixed methods approach was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data from parents/carers. Data were collected by observations (n = 50) and interviews (n = 25) in playgrounds on the North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Of the 50 observed parents/carers, 76% (n = 38) used their mobile device, with usage time extending to 17.2 minutes of the 20 minute observation period. Text‐/type‐related mobile device use was most often used (69.6%), followed by voice‐related (23.7%) and camera‐related mobile device use (6.7%). The 25 interviewed parents/carers beliefs on mobile device use were centred on three themes: diversity of mobile device use, child relationships and mobile device use and the physical environment and mobile device use. This study adds to the limited research into parent/carer mobile device use, which has become an integral part of peoples’ lifestyle. However, research is required to better understand how parent/carer mobile device use may impact on child supervision and interaction. Mobile device use is increasing. We need to better understand its public health impact.

The increase trend in the prevalence of dental caries in Australian children is a concern to public health professionals. Attitudes, behaviours and lifestyle patterns established in childhood are often carried throughout adult life. The objective of the study was to estimate the proportion of Perth metropolitan year two public primary school children drinking tap water at home, school and play. It also aimed to explore knowledge and attitudes that children and parents have towards drinking tap water, bottled water, fruit juices and soft drinks. Nine Western Australian government primary schools were recruited. A facilitator-led questionnaire was administered to year two primary school students and a matched parent self-administered questionnaire was also completed. Forty-two per cent of the children in our study reported if thirsty they drank tap (fluoridated) water at home whereas parents stated 60% of children drank tap water at home. The type of drink appeared to vary with time of day/activity while overall water was most frequently drunk; a higher proportion of milk was drunk at breakfast, whereas soft drinks were drunk in a greater proportion while watching television. This study found the vast majority of year two children in metropolitan Perth public primary schools are drinking tap water. Further research into the contribution of carbonated soft drinks and sports drinks to the increased dental caries rate in young children is warranted.