Standards in school toilets--a questionnaire survey.
BACKGROUND
Children often say they have problems with their toilets in school. Educationalists and health workers need to be aware of potential difficulties, to try and improve these facilities for school children. The objective of this study was to assess the perception children have of the toilet facilities in their schools and whether or not this influences their use of them.


METHODS
An interviewer-administered questionnaire was given to children attending community audiology clinics and their parents.


RESULTS
Eighty-seven children from 65 schools were surveyed. Poorly maintained and unhygienic facilities were described to which access was restricted. A significant proportion of children were bullied or teased. Forty per cent would never open their bowels using the toilets in school.


CONCLUSIONS
The same standards for toilet facilities in the workplace should apply to schools. Substandard facilities may contribute to the suppression of the 'call to stool', leading to chronic constipation. Infectious illnesses may be more easily spread.
Department of Child Health, Swansea NHS Trust, Central Clinic.
P M
PM
Barnes
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Maddocks
D000378:Agonistic Behavior; D002648:Child; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006796:Household Work; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene / Q000592:standards; D009812:Odorants; D018907:Privacy; D012499:Sanitation / Q000592:standards*; D012574:Schools / Q000592:standards*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014038:Toilet Facilities / Q000592:standards*