Restrooms Research Articles

Assessment of the Problems Associated with the use of Public Latrine System in Ife-North Local Government, Osun State, Nigeria

Public toilets are an essential means of sanitation in some developed countries and have been the only possible alternative for many people living in low-income, heavily populated, and informal settlements. The aim of this study was to assess the problems associated with the use of public latrine system in Ife-north local government, Osun State. The data used for the study were obtained through well-structured questionnaires. A total of 181 questionnaires were distributed and 150 questionnaires were retrieved, while 31 questionnaires were missing. The respondents were selected randomly for the study. The descriptive statistics showed that male respondents were the major participants in this study. 80% of the respondents in the study area had access to public toilet. The respondents identified Sit latrine as the major type of latrine system available in the area. This study revealed that majority (40.66%) of the households used the latrine every day and the latrine was being maintained properly by the community. The result of this study showed that 86.66% of the respondents were reported to have contacted diseases as a result of public latrine use. This study has shown that poor maintenance of practice exposed the users of latrine to various diseases. This study recommended that Community leaders must ensure that users have been sensitized on the correct use, appropriate maintenance, hand washing and other basic hygiene practices Keywords: Public toilets, sanitation, developed countries

Accessibility to WASH and waste management services in African urban informal settlements: A comparative analysis

Abstract The study investigates the existing scenario and spatial distribution pattern disparity of service distribution of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and waste management services (WMS) in urban informal settlements within the Zaria metropolis and generates recommendations for the policymakers for improvements. The study highlights challenges in urban settlements, including insufficient water, sanitation, and waste services, contributing to diseases like diarrhea and cholera. It stresses the importance of better water quality, sanitation, and waste management, and highlights the impact of governance and policies on service gaps. It also suggests using collaborative methods and technologies like GIS for solutions, employing GIS and statistics to analyze service availability and access for residents. The findings underscore the dominant role of the private sector in water treatment plant distribution (71.43%) over public facilities (28.57%). It highlights disparities in toilet types between public and private spaces: pit toilets (55.11%) are prevalent in public restrooms, while the data indicate that most water sources are poorly maintained: Only 0.50% of boreholes are newly constructed, while a significant 43.15% are poorly maintained, and 30.62% are well maintained. Moreover, private toilets are predominantly pit toilets, constituting 3.11% of the total, with no water closets toilets reported.

A retrospective study on cholera understanding and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) behavior among adolescents in three regions of La Gonâve, Haiti

BackgroundsThis study assesses the impact of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions on cholera understanding and hygiene practices in La Gonâve Island, Haiti. It examines the changes after implementing interventions in seven villages across the Downtown, Mountain, and Seaside regions. MethodsA retrospective investigation surveyed 210 school students from each region using a validated questionnaire. It assessed knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP), and environmental aspects related to cholera and hygiene. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. ResultsThe study highlights significant disparities in education levels, toilet ownership, and healthcare access. Challenges in finding public toilets (86.67%) and accessing water sources (67.78%) are consistent across regions, with Seaside facing financial constraints (85.00%) and water cost concerns (91.67%). Attitudes toward hygiene vary, with the Mountain region having the highest ‘Never’ responses for handwashing (38.89%), and Downtown leading in water treatment practices (11.67%). There is a strong willingness to share health knowledge, particularly in Downtown (100.00%). Seaside (83.33%) and Downtown (73.33%) revealed a higher cholera awareness, while nearly half of Mountain students lacked knowledge (54.44%). ConclusionsThis study highlights significant disparities in WASH practices among La Gonâve's adolescents in Downtown, Mountain, and Seaside regions. Urgent interventions are crucial for improving sanitation, ensuring clean water access, and implementing targeted hygiene education, especially in the resource-constrained Mountain and Seaside areas. The findings underscore the vital roles of adolescents and schools in disseminating knowledge, with further research needed to explore intervention differences.

The Day I Got My Period at the Museum

The author unexpectedly gets her period when she is visiting the Museum of the City of New York and uses the incident to explore how women’s desire to be free is thwarted when period products are not available in public restrooms. The author touches upon several aspects of menstrual equity—period stigma, outdated and empty dispensers, tampon tax, menstruating while homeless or incarcerated, and trans bodies that menstruate. Building on Judy Grahn’s idea that all culture is a result of women’s menstrual rites, the author points out the absurdity of not accommodating menstruating bodies in high-culture spaces like museums and asks for modern vending machines for period products in public restrooms.

Ozone generation and chemistry from 222 nm germicidal ultraviolet light in a fragrant restroom.

Devices using 222 nm germicidal ultraviolet light (GUV222) have been marketed to reduce virus transmission indoors with low risk of occupant harm from direct UV exposure. GUV222 generates ozone, an indoor air pollutant and oxidant, under constrained laboratory conditions, but the chemistry byproducts of GUV222-generated ozone in real indoor spaces is uncharacterized. We deployed GUV222 in a public restroom, with an air change rate of 1 h-1 one weekend and 2 h-1 the next, to measure ozone formation and byproducts generated from ozone chemistry indoors. Ozone from GUV222 increased background concentrations by 5 ppb on average for both weekends and reacted rapidly (e.g., at rates of 3.7 h-1 for the first weekend and 2.0 h-1 for the second) with gas-phase precursors emitted by urinal screens and on surfaces. These ozone reactions generated volatile organic compound and aerosol byproducts (e.g., up to 2.6 μg m-3 of aerosol mass). We find that GUV222 is enhancing indoor chemistry by at least a factor of two for this restroom. The extent of this enhanced chemistry will likely be different for different indoor spaces and is dependent upon ventilation rates, species and concentrations of precursor VOCs, and surface reactivity. Informed by our measurements of ozone reactivity and background aerosol concentrations, we present a framework for predicting aerosol byproduct formation from GUV222 that can be extended to other indoor spaces. Further research is needed to understand how typical uses of GUV222 could impact air quality in chemically diverse indoor spaces and generate indoor air chemistry byproducts that can affect human health.

Design and Simulation Analysis of a Multi-Functional Public Restroom Cleaning Robot

Design and Simulation Analysis of a Multi-Functional Public Restroom Cleaning Robot

The Worries of Out-of-Home Activities in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Survey Study During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often experience worries related to travel due to frequent bowel movements. However, there is currently limited research focusing on the travel worries of patients with IBD. The aim of this study was to assess the level of worry regarding out-of-home activities in patients with IBD and identify factors associated with worry. Methods: This study included patients with IBD who visited the outpatient clinics between September 2020 and March 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed a self-designed questionnaire, providing general clinical data and indicating their level of worry for out-of-home activities. Results: A total of 529 patients with IBD completed the questionnaire. Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) had a higher proportion of individuals under 40 years old and males compared to patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Regarding out-of-home activities, patients with UC expressed greater worry about going out and taking buses than patients with CD. However, there were no significant differences observed between the two groups in terms of travel worries and worries about finding public washrooms. A significant majority (85.4%) of patients with clinically active IBD expressed worries about not finding public washrooms when going out, while 46.7% of patients in clinical remission had similar worries. Moreover, the worry about finding public washrooms was higher in patients with UC compared to those with CD, both during the clinical activity and remission. Conclusion: This survey conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic reported worries among patients with IBD about out-of-home activities. The patients with clinically active IBD, especially UC, expressed worries about not finding public washrooms when going out. We highlight the actual psychological and quality of life challenges faced by patients with IBD.

Water recycling public toilets based on onsite electrochemical wastewater treatment

14-month performance study of an anaerobic bioreactor combined with electrochemical oxidation and integrated into a self-contained public bathroom under daily use in Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu, India).

Policing the Park

This study explores how an undercover sting that targeted men soliciting sex with other men around public park toilets in Fresno, California, led to an increase in resources for local law enforcement, including a surveillance system that stretched beyond the park and into poor Black and Brown neighborhoods. We use the literature on policy entrepreneurship to make sense of the power of police both to quell opposition to unpopular public safety initiatives and to make the case for administrative expansion. This case study demonstrates that creating panic about public same-sex erotic activity can be utilized without appearing homophobic or drawing the wrath of LGBTQ+ rights groups, especially when focusing on the dangers to children. We argue that the men arrested for lewd conduct were simply collateral damage and not seen worthy of defense.

Attitude and Intention to Adopt Eco-cars in Uganda: The Moderating Effect of Culture Orientation

Eco-cars have been promoted as a viable solution to global environmental concerns and energy crises. This motivated the study to focus on establishing the effect of the motorists’ attitudes and culture orientations on their intention to adopt Eco-cars. A total of 384 motorists from Kampala City were taken using a two-stage sampling design including stratification between public and private motorists and convenience sampling within the strata. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire that was both self and interviewer administered. Data were analysed using correlation and regression analyses. The study revealed that motorists with a positive attitude especially regarding environmental conservation, and the possibility of easy access to facilitating conditions, like charging stations and their performance, were more ready to adopt Eco-cars. The motorists possessing a collectivist culture were more likely to adopt Eco-cars. Furthermore, the influence on adopting Eco-cars because of the motorist’s attitudes was found to be stronger among those with a collectivistic culture. In essence, motorists who felt accountable for their country’s agenda of environmental conservation and believed that their actions mattered regarding the concerns of the majority, were most likely to adopt Eco-cars. As such, both public and private players in the motor industry need to send out messages focusing on the communal benefits of driving an eco-car

I Need to Pee! Gender Inequalities and (In-)Accessibility of Public Restrooms in London

When analysing how cities and public facilities – especially public bathrooms – are designed, gendered perspectives are often neglected. This paper investigates the eff ects of the inaccessibility of public bathrooms on women's lives in London. Informed by a feminist lens, the research shows that many public bathrooms are inaccessible and unsafe, making it women's priority to avoid bathrooms throughout the day. This has effects on women's health and their understanding of bodily sensations. This inaccessibility leads women to plan ahead, limiting their ability to be spontaneous within public spaces, and using 'just in case' visits to bathroom facilities before leaving a place to minimize the risk of having to look for one later in the day. (In-)accessibility of public bathrooms is a long-lasting issue which has been translated into the creation of a cross-generational, non-formal bathroom education between women of diff erent generations. Overall, tensions and difficulties arising from women's (in-)accessibility to decent bathroom facilities means that their basic human rights are often denied, and their everyday life signi ficantly aff ected. As a response to such intersectional inequalities, women develop adaptative strategies, fostering their resilience as they reclaim their urban and public life.

Vacantly Occupied

This text-based essay investigates and makes uncertain public toilets through ficto-critical writing. The essay is a response to an experimental analysis where I vacantly occupied several public toilets around Melbourne, each for varied amounts of time. This embodied methodology allows the interior itself, relieved of any expected utility or function, to become foregrounded, eventful. The research builds on an existing body of research into the interior subcultures of public toilets and their representation in pop culture. ‘Vacantly occupied’ refers to the process of occupying toilet cubicles and making uncertain the binary of ‘vacant’ and ‘occupied’. To vacantly occupy queers the binary function of the cubicle lock, the toilet, design, and labour more broadly, and turns it into an open-ended situation. ‘Queering’ because it blurs categorisation — occupation without an occupation — and embodies a functional, utilitarian space in a deliberately a-functional way, as opposed to dysfunctional because design too often looks towards explicit function as reification of ‘good/bad’. I argue this kind of majoritarian binary qualification isn’t necessarily useful for queering, which unlike identitarian definitions of ‘queer’ resists certainty. This text deploys queering tactically to move beyond these dynamics in order to destabilise and make uncertain in both content and form, thinking design in different ways. Ficto-criticism is used as a methodology to develop two distinct perspectives: the author’s, and through its diverse language loosens normative interpretations of critical writing for the reader, creating a second. The style, much like toilet cubicles themselves, is at times messy, fragmented, and blurred, mixing academic, dirty, common, poetic styles attempting to resist cartographic objectivity in favour of a language that cultivates multiple perspectives that queer the form of a critical research essay. This is reflective of a broader argument that, in the case of public toilets, other viewpoints beyond dominant heterosexist norms are needed now more than ever, that other historiographies and perspectives that create uncertainty in how we assume, use, and design with logics, utility, function, cleanliness, and so on can be embraced to envision radically different interiors.

Sistem Tanda Sebagai Media Informasi Komplek Sarana Olahraga Dadaha Kota Tasikmalaya

The Dadaha Sports Facilities Complex, Tasikmalaya City, is the center of sports activities for the residents of Tasikmalaya City and its surroundings. The complete facilities make this place always busy with visitors from morning to evening. The area of ​​the Dadaha Sports Facilities Complex is around 16 hectares. The facilities available include a sports hall (GOR), swimming pool, sports field, archery, fitness center and others. Apart from that, the Dadaha Sports Facilities Complex also has a park and children's play area. However, in a place this large, there is still a lack of information systems, such as the absence of regulations not to litter, so there is a lot of rubbish scattered in the park, and the existing sign system is less visible because the color is dark and the writing is too small. Apart from that, there are several public facilities that do not have an identity, for example public toilets. Therefore, the designer hopes that in preparing this report he can solve and improve this problem by designing a complete sign system with a visual concept for the sign system which will be taken from several characteristics of the City of Tasikmalaya.

An Investigation of Toilet Cleanliness Assessment and People Monitoring at Rest and Service Area (R&R) X and Y

Facility management services are essential for maintaining the effective functioning and safety of buildings. Soft facility management services aim to enhance the work environment by improving efficiency and safety. Poor toilet hygiene due to inadequate care poses a threat to human health and safety. The objectives are to measure the effect of public toilet cleanliness based on the number of people and to analyse the relationship between the level of toilet cleanliness and the number of people. Observation methods were employed to monitor the number of people and evaluate toilet cleanliness from 9:00 a.m. to 17:30 p.m. at R&R X and Y. Linear regression analysis were conducted to determine R2 values for each location and using a one-way ANOVA. The R2 values represent the relationship between the star rating and the number of people. The result shows the R2 valuesfor men’s and women’s toilets at R&R X on weekdays and weekends are R2 = 0.7643, R2 = 0.7784, R2 = 0.2479, and R2 = 0.2245. For men’s and women’s toilets at R&R Y on weekdays and weekends, R2 = 0.1733, R2 = 0.2583, R2 = 0.5591, and R2 = 0.6939. In conclusion, it was found that the R2 values on the men’s toilets at R&R X and the women’s toilets at R&R Y had a strong and moderate relationship to the number of people and star rating. Meanwhile, women’s toilets at R&R X and men’s toilets at R&R Y have a weak relationship between the number of people and the star rating. It important to maintain the cleanliness, user comfort and safety, as well as the overall satisfaction of use, to maintain 5-star rating to ensure thatusers who use public toilets feel comfortable.

ENGAGING WITH AGING: OLDER ADULTS’ ADAPTATIONS TO URINARY CONCERNS

Abstract Urinary concerns (UC) increase with age impacting health and quality of life. The aims of this study were to describe: 1) UC as an age-related change (ARC); 2) the challenges of UC; 3) adaptation strategies used to manage UC; and 4) the value of engaging with aging (EWA) as a framework to promote self-management of UC. Data was used from semi-structured interviews with 29 older adults (mean age 77 years). An iterative coding process was used. A codebook was developed based on a-priori themes derived from the EWA framework, our previous publication, and a line-by-line coding of one of the transcripts. As the analysis progressed, additional codes emerged, enriching the codebook. Six themes emerged: 1) the participants’ experiences of UC; 2) responses to UC, 3) adaptation and management strategies; 4) knowledge and understanding of UC; 5) available capacities and resources; and 6) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on UC. Participants tended to address their UC by adjusting routines, medication schedules, or diet patterns. They tried to secure restroom locations or use tools or reminders to resolve their UC. COVID-19 led to increased inconvenience for older adults to engage in outdoor activities due to the closure of public restrooms. Through a comprehensive qualitative study and in-depth analysis of older adults’ UC and adaptations, these participants developed personalized adjustments to address their needs and abilities to their UC. These findings offer insights into the individual aging experience, which will further enhance our understanding and advancement of person-centered care.

Immodest Successes: The Provision of Public Lavatories for Women in Meanjin (Brisbane), 1912

Immodest Successes: The Provision of Public Lavatories for Women in Meanjin (Brisbane), 1912

Serce działań publicznych w historycznych miastach: refleksje na temat programu HRIDAY

This article discusses two specific implementations from the Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana, also known as the HRIDAY scheme in India, specifically how they address public spaces in historical cities. HRIDAY (2014-2019) was formulated to provide holistic development and improve infrastructure, mainly in pilgrim towns, under the Ministry of Urban Development, now the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). The scheme took into consideration the complexity of dealing with entire historic cities. This is especially challenging for local urban bodies focused primarily on the core of a city, i.e. its historic centre. The goal was to revitalise the city’s unique character by “encouraging the development of an aesthetically appealing, accessible, informative and secure environment” (MOUD 2015). However, while the scheme ended, there are still many historic towns and cities across the country that could benefit from reflections and insights from already executed projects. To undertake any further development in line with the scheme, it is imperative to understand its application, specifically in terms of public space typology. HRIDAY primarily addressed the need to foster cultural identity by improving public infrastructure and promoting tourism. The article addresses how public chowks (squares) and market streets benefited from the scheme, basing on secondary sources about two selected cities. Discussion covers additions of sanitation and public conveniences, development of venues for cultural events in existing public space and interventions such as creation of interpretation centres and improvement of paths. These analyses serve as the basis for the formulation of guidelines and theories that could inform future heritage development in sensitive urban spaces in cities and towns across India.

Towards Smart Sanitation: A Comprehensive Survey of IoT, AI, and ML in Public Toilet Management

This research paper presents a comprehensive review of literature surveys about the implementation of diverse technological approaches, including the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML), in the domain of public toilet monitoring systems. The study investigates the current landscape of monitoring technologies applied to public toilets, aiming to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities associated with each technique. Through an in-depth analysis of various literature surveys, the paper synthesizes the state-of-the-art advancements in IoT, AI, and ML as applied to public toilets, offering a nuanced understanding of the potential impact on hygiene maintenance, resource optimization, and real-time monitoring. The findings of this review contribute valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of public toilet facilities.

Analisis Marketing Mix 4P Terhadap Tingkat Kepuasan Pasien Rawat Jalan Poli Bedah Umum Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah Dr. Mohamad Soewandhie

Outpatient satisfaction level takes an important role in hospital success. Outpatient satisfaction levels are determined by various factors, some of them are mentioned in the Marketing Mix 4p strategy that includes place, promotion, price, product. Marketing mix (place) includes strategic location, comfortability and cleanliness of public toilet, comfortability and cleanliness of consultation room, comfortability and cleanliness of waiting room and parking space availability. Marketing mix (promotion) includes any action that the company or hospital had taken to persuade patients to use the hospital services. Marketing mix (price) includes service cost, easy access to conduct transaction, suitability of prices compared to services received, medicine price and thorough explanation for proof of payment. Marketing mix (product) includes informed consent from healthcare workers, services received from nurses, services received from pharmacists, consultation services and availability of medicines. A study was needed to determine the relation between marketing mix strategy and level of outpatient satisfaction the purpose of this study was to determine if marketing mix 4p is related to outpatient satisfaction. This study is a quantitative study with Cross Sectional design and observational analytics design. The methods that were used to analyze in this study is statistical analysis. The data used in this study was primary taken by asking outpatient to fill in questionnaires. The study’s sample were 106 people who were chosen using the systematic random sampling technique. The study was conducted at the general surgery clinic at dr. Mohamad Soewandhie regional hospital starting from 20th of September 2023 to 31st October 2023. In this study, marketing mix 4p strategy was divided into 4 variables (place, promotion, price, product). Spearman Correlation tests for marketing mix (place) were made and resulting in a value of p = 0.337 (p > 0.05) and coefficient correlation r = 0.094. Spearman Correlation tests for marketing mix (promotion) were made, and result in a value of p = 0.358 (p > 0.05) and coefficient correlation r = 0.090. Spearman Correlation tests for marketing mix (price) were made, and a result of p value = 0.935 (p > and coefficient correlation r = - 0.008. Spearman Correlation tests were made, and a result in a value of p = 0.44 (p < 0.05) and coefficient correlation r = 0.764. Based on the results that were found it can be concluded that there was a significant association between marketing mix (product) and outpatient satisfaction and no significant associations were found between marketing mix (place, price, promotion) and outpatient

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Prevention of Intestinal Helminth Infection among Residents of the Ho Municipality in the Volta Region of Ghana.

This study investigated the knowledge, attitude, and practices of residents in the Ho municipality towards intestinal helminth infections and their prevention. A descriptive cross-sectional study involving questionnaire administration was conducted among randomly sampled residents of the Ho municipality of the Volta Region of Ghana. A minimum sample size of 400 was calculated for subjects using Yamane's formula for population. Pearson's chi-square analysis was done to determine any relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and the categories of knowledge, attitude, and practices. Results from data analysis were computed as frequencies and percentages. P < 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Of the 400 participants, 343 (85.7%) were aware of intestinal helminths, but the majority had poor knowledge of its cause despite 50.5% (202) having good knowledge scores. Most participants (331, 82.8%) had a bad attitude toward preventing the disease. Most (335, 83.8%) of the community members still adhered to the poor practice of open defecation with the excuse of unavailable latrines, and some (143, 35.8%) believe that intestinal helminths are nothing to worry about. Health education should address the perceptions towards preventing intestinal helminthiasis and be complemented by making available public lavatories in the municipality to curb the unacceptable practice of open defecation.