Schools’ toilets quality and its relation to urinary tract problems in pupils of primary schools in Hilla city

Abstract

Abstract Background: Avoiding school toilets might cause irregular or infrequent voiding, which can lead to a variety of urinary issues. In this study, primary school-aged children’s bathroom habits, contributing factors, and relationships to lower urinary tract symptoms were examined. Objectives: The objectives of the study were: (1) to evaluate factors that affect students going to school toilets including toilet facilities and toilet hygiene in children of primary schools; (2) to evaluate urinary symptoms in those children; (3) to differentiate between private school children and public school children; and (4) to evaluate pupils-to-toilets ratio among primary school children. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Hilla city primary schools, and the time of this study was from February 15 to June 15, 2022. This study was conducted on 500 pupils by selecting 10 primary schools in Hilla city randomly (five of them were private schools and other five were public schools). Results: Public school students reported that toilets are significantly more dirty (72.2%) compared with private schools. Similar significant differences were reported regarding the presence of stool/urine on the floor, smell of toilet, lighting of toilet, and availability of soap. The presence of urinary tract infection symptoms (at least one symptom) was found to be significantly higher among public sector schools (53.1%) compared with private sector schools (46.9%), with P value of 0.031. Public schools had significantly higher number of children per toilet (108.0% ± 68.5%) compared with private schools (26.8% ± 7.6%), with P value of 0.030. Conclusions: Toileting habits and urinary tract symptoms were both significantly correlated. Many children influenced by negative perceptions of school toilets have adopted unhealthy toilet habits during school time. Public school students reported that toilets are significantly more dirty compared with private schools.