Climate change: A pointer to increased small-scale fisher drowning deaths

Table 2. Reported risk factors linked to drowning deaths around Lake Victoria, Kenya. Variable Deceased fisher (N = 141) Percentage (%) The incident was because of bad weather Yes No Not available 59 78 4 41.8 55.3 2.8 Water conditions Rough Moderate Slight/Calm Not available 67 31 35 8 47.5 22.0 24.8 5.7 Rain conditions Heavy rain Light rain No rain Not available 17 5 112 7 12.1 3.1 79.4 5.0 Wind conditions Strong wind Moderate wind Little/no wind Not available 66 31 36 8 46.8 22.0 25.5 5.7 Timing of incident Nighttime (6pm to 6am) 71 ~50% Daytime (6am to 6pm) 70 ~50% Boat locomotion method Motorized Non-motorized Not available 61 70 10 43.3 49.6 7.1 Boat adequately maintained Yes No Not available 120 8 13 85.1 5.7 9.2 Life jacket or life buoys used Yes No Not available 28 91 22 19.8 64.5 15.6 Communication or navigation equipment used Yes No Not available 18 100 23 12.8 70.9 16.3 Time worked in fishing industry < 3 years 3–10 years > 10 Not available 24 70 36 11 17.0 49.6 25.5 7.8 Ability to swim Yes No Not available 80 48 13 56.7 34.0 9.2 Alcohol used Yes No Not available 44 67 30 31.2 47.5 21.3 Drug used Yes No Not available 34 71 36 24.1 50.4 25.5 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302397.t002 PLOS ONE Climate change and small-scale fisher drowning deaths PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302397 May 22, 2024 7 / 16