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EDITORIALS: Gillian Hall and Beverly Sibthorpe Health benefits of swimming pools in remote Aboriginal communities BMJ 2003; 327: 407-408 [Full text]

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Swimming Pools Advantages superseed risk with proper maintenance and supervision

Dr. Abhay Gupta   (23 August 2003)

Swimming Pools or Potable Water?

Noor Mohammed, Akheel A syed   (11 September 2003)

Swimming Pools Advantages superseed risk with proper maintenance and supervision 23 August 2003
Dr. Abhay Gupta, Associate Professor SSR Medical COllege, Mauritius Send response to journal: Re: Swimming Pools Advantages superseed risk with proper maintenance and supervision	Fact that swimming pool are good for children donot need any elaboration. Water therapy and exercises for paraplegic, spastic and cerebral palsy children has produced remarkable results. Also swimming pools if maintained properly are good for relaxation specially in todays life full of stresses. problem associated with community swimming pools are spread of disease and development of infection as mentioned in article. for this there should be proper screening of the pool users and if any disease is found person should not be allowed to use pool. Pool also should be equipped with proper life saving measures to prevent any accidents. conclusively, a properly maintaned and supervised pool is a boon to society. Competing interests:   None declared
Swimming Pools or Potable Water? 11 September 2003
Noor Mohammed, Clinical observer-General Medicine-Russels Hall Hospital-Dudley. DY1 2HQ, Akheel A syed Send response to journal: Re: Swimming Pools or Potable Water?	This study reports an innovative, successful approach to reducing pyoderma and otitis media in remote Australian Aboriginal Communities[1].A similar initiative should work just as well in developing countries such as India where pyoderma and other skin infections are also common[2].It is widely recognized that swimming has several other benefits too. However village communities in India often use unsanitary water for bathing, running the risk of potentially life-threatening infections.In an audit at St.George's hospital Kerala, 880 patients of Leptospirosis probably acquired through contact with back waters were recorded in the year 2002.Developing countries however can ill afford the luxury of hygienic swimming pools when the need of the hour is safe drinking water. References 1.Lehmann D,Tennet MT, Silva DT, McAullay D, Lannigan F, Coates H et al.Benefits of swimming pool in two remote Australian Aboriginal communities in West Australia.interventional study.BMJ2003;327:415-419. 2.Thappa DM.Common skin problems.Indian J Pediatr.2002; 69;701-706. Competing interests:   None declared