Journal article

School Toilets

Children’s Perceptions and Prevalence of Gastrointestinal and Urinary Disorders, a Survey in 3 Secondary Schools near Saint-Etienne

Pages 421 to 431

Cite this article


  • Hoarau, B.,
  • Vercherin, P.
  • and Bois, C.
(2014). School Toilets Children’s Perceptions and Prevalence of Gastrointestinal and Urinary Disorders, A Survey in 3 Secondary Schools Near Saint-Etienne. Santé Publique, . 26(4), 421-431. https://doi.org/10.3917/spub.144.0421.

  • Hoarau, Bénédicte.,
  • et al.
« School Toilets : Children’s Perceptions and Prevalence of Gastrointestinal and Urinary Disorders, a Survey in 3 Secondary Schools near Saint-Etienne ». Santé Publique, 2014/4 Vol. 26, 2014. p.421-431. CAIRN.INFO, stm.cairn.info/journal-sante-publique-2014-4-page-421?lang=en.

  • HOARAU, Bénédicte,
  • VERCHERIN, Paul
  • and BOIS, Christophe,
2014. School Toilets Children’s Perceptions and Prevalence of Gastrointestinal and Urinary Disorders, a Survey in 3 Secondary Schools near Saint-Etienne. Santé Publique, 2014/4 Vol. 26, p.421-431. DOI : 10.3917/spub.144.0421. URL : https://stm.cairn.info/journal-sante-publique-2014-4-page-421?lang=en.

https://doi.org/10.3917/spub.144.0421


English

Introduction: Irregular use of toilets can contribute to urinary and gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of gastrointestinal and urinary symptoms among a secondary school teenage population and to evaluate their perception and use of school toilets.Methods: 791 adolescents aged 12 to 16 filled in an anonymous questionnaire, which was administered in three secondary schools near Saint-Etienne, France.Results: 22% reported abdominal pain at least once a week during the past two months and 26% experienced abdominal pain about once every month. 9% of schoolchildren suffered from urinary incontinence at least once during the two months before the study: 4% of boys and 13% of girls. Children had a negative perception of school toilets: 62% didn’t feel safe and 54% of boys reported a lack of privacy. 34% of students avoided school toilets: 21% never used them to urinate and 85% never used them to defecate. 28% of children acknowledged they had experienced abdominal pain because they couldn’t use school toilets and 29% said that they had experienced poor concentration as a result of their pain.Discussion: Abdominal pain and urinary disorders are common among secondary schoolchildren. Stool and urine withholding behaviours are be widespread and affect students’ concentration while at school.

Keywords

  • adolescent
  • abdominal pain
  • urination disorders
  • toilet facilities
  • health behaviour
  • secondary school

Publisher keywords: abdominal pain, adolescent, health behaviour, secondary school, toilet facilities, urination disorders


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Uploaded: 10/08/2014

https://doi.org/10.3917/spub.144.0421

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