Limiting potential COVID-19 contagion in squatting public toilets.
Li Pan, Shuang-Lan Chen, Yi-Sha Guo and 4 others
PMID 34177200WHAT IT FOUND
Most Chinese public toilet users prefer squatting toilets but worry about water splash contamination.
They strongly support installing foot-controlled covers to reduce spread of viruses like COVID-19, preferring foot operation over hand contact for hygiene.
Key findings
0191% of participants preferred squatting toilets, while 72% worried about personal contamination from water splash.
0283% preferred a foot-controlled device to cover the toilet or minimize water extrusion.
0363% of participants reported encountering splashing during toilet use.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample was small (n=134) and not randomized, recruited via the investigators' personal WeChat contacts, which introduces significant selection bias. The population was heavily skewed towards younger adults (95% aged 18-45), so findings may not reflect the views of older people who are more likely to have mobility issues with squatting toilets. The survey did not explore why participants preferred squatting toilets (cultural habit versus hygiene). The survey did not ask if participants were willing to pay for improved sanitization features.
Declared interests
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret this as evidence that squatting toilets are clinically superior or that foot-controlled covers reduce viral transmission. This is a small, non-randomized opinion survey from a specific demographic that reports user preferences and perceived risks, not measured health outcomes or efficacy.