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Restroom horrors

Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

Washing hands Could go a long way in preventing infections

Recently, the World Health Organization reported that poor hygiene and toilet habits have cost the life of thousands in Asia. As per the report, out of 1.8 million worldwide deaths from poor hygiene, two-third are from Asia with more than half in Ind ia and China. This raises the issue of lack of proper sanitation in India. This is mainly because of improper maintenance, improper usage of toilets, lack of awareness about healthy habits, illiteracy, improper ventilation, etc. “We have eight bathrooms but, only one is functional,” says Rekha, a final year microbiology student in the city. “We don’t even have enough number of mugs and buckets,” she adds. Of course, extra care is taken to maintain only the staff toilettes.

Tamil Selvi, a class four student from a reputed school says she never turns to ‘that’ area because it makes her nauseous. Sometimes, the students are forced to carry water bottles due to lack of water supply. “Because some children avoid using unhygienic toilets, they may develop urinary tract infection at a later stage," says Dr. Mohan Stephen, a child specialist. He also points out that the flies in toilets are major carriers of cholera, typhoid and dengue. “Even though preventive vaccinations and medicines are available, the danger still remains.”

Foul odour, lack of supplies and slippery floors are all signs of improper maintenance. Germs thrive in such restrooms. Lack of supplies like water, mugs, buckets and dustbins prevent the user from keeping them clean. Those who are infected by the germs are likely to transfer the bacteria through contact on door handles and taps. Even though one cannot avoid these germs completely, a simple act of washing one’s hands can drastically reduce the chance of germ transference.

Experts say that the Government should intervene and pay more attention on the sanitation sector.

Awareness creation and privatisation of public toilets, education on healthy habits, proper toilet designs, etc can alter the situation significantly. “Above all, everyone should try and maintain the public toilets the way they would their own toilets at home,” says Dr. Mohan Stephen.

Doctors point out that women’s restrooms have twice the bacteria than men’s; also they are more prone to the related diseases. More people like Sudha Krishnan are called for. A medical officer at PSG Urban Centre, she conducts awareness programmes regularly to make the 22 slums in her area disease-free and hygienic.

To educate the public, Domex, a Hindustan Unilever product has launched a campaign on toilet hygiene in association with Indian Medical Association, Mumbai. The objective is to share the findings of Unilever Global Research Centre (on harms caused by microscopic germs lurking in toilets) with the public.

Wash your hand after each visit to a toilet

Use your left hand while opening doors in public restrooms so that your right hand remains germ-free.

Before flushing the toilet close the lid, so that the spray of contaminated water does not come out

Avoid smoking inside toilets

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