A preventable tragedy: Confronting Tanzania’s drowning epidemic

DODOMA: DROWNING is defined as the process of experiencing respiratory impairment due to submersion or immersion in a liquid. While often perceived as accidental and unavoidable, it is in fact a largely preventable public health issue that continues to claim thousands of lives every year, especially in lowand middle-income countries.

There are several types of drowning. The most common is wet drowning, where water enters the lungs and disrupts breathing. Dry drowning occurs when the airway closes due to a spasm, preventing water from entering the lungs.

Other forms include secondary drowning and silent drowning, which may develop after initial exposure to water. Regardless of type, drowning can lead to severe complications such as hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the blood), loss of consciousness, apnea (cessation of breathing) and ultimately cardiac arrest.

These outcomes highlight the urgency of prevention and early intervention. Simple safety measures can significantly reduce the risk of drowning.

These include learning basic swimming and water safety skills, wearing life jackets, avoiding alcohol while engaging in water-related activities and understanding the risks associated with natural water bodies.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injuryrelated deaths worldwide. In 2019 alone, an estimated 236,000 people died from drowning, accounting for approximately seven percent of all injury-related deaths globally.

The burden is disproportionately higher in low- and middle-income countries, which account for more than 90 per cent of these fatalities. Children are particularly vulnerable, with the highest drowning rates recorded among those aged one to four years, followed by children aged five to nine.

Males are also at greater risk, largely due to increased exposure to water related activities and risk-taking behaviours. In Tanzania, and particularly around Lake Victoria, the situation is even more alarming.

A study conducted between 2017 and 2019 by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in collaboration with the Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU) revealed that drowning poses a significant threat to fishing communities in the region.

The study estimated a drowning mortality rate of 231 deaths per 100,000 people, approximately 30 times higher than national and continental averages. Over a two-year period, 86 drowning deaths were recorded in the surveyed communities.

Of these, 81 per cent were males aged between 18 and 40, most of whom drowned while fishing. Children accounted for 10 per cent of the deaths, including six girls and three boys, while the remaining nine per cent were non-fishing adults. The findings underscore the widespread nature of the problem and its impact across different demographic groups. Risky behaviours were identified as a major contributing factor. Many fishermen operate poorly maintained boats or rely on vessels powered by oars.

Night fishing and fishing during adverse weather conditions are also common practices. Alarmingly, the use of life jackets remains low, and some fishermen engage in their work while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Children, on the other hand, often drown near the lakeshore while unsupervised, either playing or carrying out household chores.

These incidents highlight the need for increased community awareness and supervision. Despite the severity of the issue, one of the biggest challenges in addressing drowning in Africa is the lack of reliable data. In many sub-Saharan countries, drowning incidents are underreported, making it difficult to assess the true scale of the problem and design effective interventions.

In Tanzania, for instance, while data may exist for major transport-related accidents on water, there is limited information on drowning incidents involving small fishing vessels or individual fishermen. This gap in data contributes to the underrecognition of drowning as a major public health concern.

Artisanal fishing communities are particularly vulnerable. Despite facing high drowning rates, the adoption of preventive measures, such as wearing life jackets, remains low. This leaves many individuals exposed to avoidable risks. Efforts are now underway to address these challenges. The Environmental Management and Economic Development Organisation (EMEDO) has launched a Lake Victoria Drowning Prevention Project aimed at reducing drowning risks in fishing communities.

According to the project coordinator, Anthur Mugema, the initiative began with a comprehensive situational analysis to understand why drowning incidents occur and how communities perceive the risks. “We focused on identifying the challenges faced by fishermen, both in fishing camps and those operating away from their families,” he explained during a recent training session for journalists in Dodoma.

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The study revealed several dangerous practices, including the use of unsafe vessels, lack of safety awareness and risky personal behaviours. It also highlighted broader systemic issues, such as limited research, inadequate data collection systems and insufficient access to safety equipment.

“We still do not have a reliable system to determine the number of people who die from drowning, especially among fishermen using small boats,” Mugema noted.

Further research conducted in partnership with the International Research Institute (IPSOS) identified additional risk factors. These include stormy weather, poor swimming skills, lack of access to life jackets, overloading of boats and widespread alcohol use. Limited access to accurate weather information was also identified as a key concern.

Many fishermen rely on traditional methods, such as observing wind patterns, clouds and the moon, to predict weather conditions. However, these methods are increasingly unreliable in the face of changing climate patterns. In some cases, risky behavior has led to preventable tragedies.

For example, in Buzegwe and Msozi villages, four people reportedly drowned within a year after taking an unanchored canoe without the owner’s knowledge and venturing onto the lake. The EMEDO project seeks to address these issues through a multi-faceted approach.

One of its primary goals is to empower fishermen with knowledge and practical skills to identify risks and take preventive measures. This includes promoting the use of life jackets, improving access to weather information and encouraging safer fishing practices. The project also emphasises the importance of community engagement and behavior change.

Another key component is collaboration with the media. Journalists are being trained to report effectively on drowningrelated issues, helping to raise public awareness and influence policy decisions.

“We are building the capacity of journalists so they can advocate for policy changes, such as reducing taxes on imported safety equipment,” Mugema said. The project also recognises the economic realities faced by fishing communities. During low fishing seasons, many fishermen lack alternative sources of income, which can push them to take greater risks in order to sustain their livelihoods.

EMEDO board member Edwin Soko emphasised the critical role of journalism in addressing these challenges. He urged media professionals to specialise in reporting on fisheries and water safety issues.

“Fishing is a key economic activity that contributes to national income and food security. It deserves focused and informed reporting,” he said.

He also pointed out that journalists themselves are not immune to the risks, as their work often requires travel across lakes and rivers. Participants in the training have already expressed a commitment to raising awareness. Tony Alphonce from the Mwanza Press Club noted that the programme had deepened his understanding of drowning risks and prevention strategies.

“I will use my platform to inform the public about the magnitude of this problem, especially for communities living near lakes, rivers and the sea,” he said.

Ultimately, addressing drowning requires a coordinated effort involving governments, communities, development partners and the media. While infrastructure and policy interventions are essential, lasting change will depend on shifting attitudes and behaviors at the community level. Drowning is not merely an accident, it is a preventable tragedy. With the right combination of awareness, investment and collaboration, thousands of lives can be saved each year.