Water Safety Awareness, Swimming Ability and Drowning Prevention Behaviour in Malaysian Adolescents: A Gender-Based Analysis

Water Safety, Swimming Skills, and Drowning Prevention in Malaysian Adolescents

Authors

  • Fariba Abadi Health Science Department, Faculty of Sports Science and Coaching, Sultan Idris Education University, Tanjong Malim,35900
  • Benderi Dasril Department of Sports Science, Faculty of Sports Science and Coaching, Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI), Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia
  • Norhazira Abdul Rahim
  • Yusop Ahmad Department of Sports Science, Faculty of Sports Science and Coaching, Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI), Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia
  • Gunathevan Elumalai Department of Health Science, Faculty of Sports Science and Coaching, Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI), Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7882-0741
  • Ali Md Nadzalan Department of Coaching Science, Faculty of Sports Science and Coaching, Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI), Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia
  • Gaayathri Ayanan Department of Coaching Science, Faculty of Sports Science and Coaching, Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI), Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v62.107634

Keywords:

adolescents; drowning prevention; gender equity; swimming; water safety awareness

Abstract

This study explored water safety awareness, swimming ability and drowning prevention behaviour among Malaysian adolescents aged 13-17. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 525 secondary school students (278 boys and 247 girls) from five regions in Malaysia. Data collected through a self-administrated online survey (modified water safety and drowning prevention questionnaire) using Google Form. Both genders demonstrated similar awareness levels of drowning dangers identification and water safety tasks and rules. Most of the respondents were categorised as non-swimmers. Notably, 57% of them could not swim while a quarter could swim less than 50 meters. Only 17% claimed adequate swimming ability. Boys demonstrated significantly higher swimming ability (p<0.001) compared to girls, though girls reflected better safety practices with a lower risk in swimming: alone/unsupervised (p=0.001), in prohibited areas (p<0.001), and in unknown water depth (p=0.03). These findings provide additional knowledge in educational policies to develop impactful lifelong drowning prevention programs in Malaysia.

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Published

2024-12-11

How to Cite

Abadi, F., Dasril, B., Abdul Rahim, N. ., Ahmad, Y., Elumalai, G., Md Nadzalan, A. ., & Ayanan, G. (2024). Water Safety Awareness, Swimming Ability and Drowning Prevention Behaviour in Malaysian Adolescents: A Gender-Based Analysis: Water Safety, Swimming Skills, and Drowning Prevention in Malaysian Adolescents. Retos, 62, 1059–1066. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v62.107634

Issue

Vol. 62 (2025)

Section

Original Research Article

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Copyright (c) 2024 Fariba Abadi, Benderi Dasril, Norhazira Abdul Rahim, Yusop Ahmad, Gunathevan Elumalai, Ali Md Nadzalan, Gaayathri Ayanan

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