‘Health is Wealth’ is a commonly heard proverb, and it is rightly said because health is the most important aspect of our lives! When your students write a paragraph on health, they learn about the importance of taking care of their body and mind.
"Dirty Toilet, Fifth Biggest Killer of Women Globally"
"Answering the call of nature is a necessity, but it is important to understand that using a dirty toilet can open doors of deadly infections if care is not taken while using toilets."
"Most women who have become regular customers in hospitals because of certain reproductive health diseases started their journey in dirty toilets and public toilets. Women especially are more prone to infections because of their reproductive make up / placement, while such infections have been globally researched to lead to grievous complications."
"According to home economists, this is a pertinent area that people often do incorrectly, which as a result has birthed countless diseases that have altered lives and developments. A report by the Water Aid identified diseases linked to lack of safe toilets as the fifth biggest global killers of women."
"Medical experts list some of the diseases likely to be contracted directly or indirectly from unsafe toilet as: streptococcus, staphylococcus, shigella bacteria, hepatitis virus, common cold virus, and various sexually transmitted organisms."
"In the words of Ekpa, these diseases can be contracted from dirty toilets, doorknobs, and handles, by touching toilet surfaces with fingers or not washing hands after using the toilet."
www.thisdaylive.com (2021)
"There can be plenty of bugs lying in wait in public restrooms, including both familiar and unfamiliar suspects like streptococcus, staphylococcus, E. coli and shigella bacteria, hepatitis A virus, the common cold virus, and various sexually transmitted organisms." -www.webmd.com
In an interview session with Esther, surname withheld, a 200L student at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Esther shared her experience with All Campus Show reporter, she said: "Infection gotten from toilet is deadly, I have had it two times now and I don't want to experience it again. I am not used to public toilet but I started engaging in using it when I got admission. I thought it is like our toilet at home but I was told at the health centre told buy a potty and be cleaning it with Dettol, unknowingly, I realized another person used my potty and this made the infection to come back, it was not easy fighting the infection, I got tired of life"
Furthermore, according to our research with a University staff in the health centre at the Bayero University, Kano said "the use of toilet cleaners has been undermined in Nigeria. Most people still depend on only detergents or a mixture of detergent and other chemicals to clean their toilets. For a healthier effect beyond the tempting white, it is strongly advised that toilet cleaner with active anti- germs agent and not detergent be used to wash toilet bowls and seats."
"Toilet infections are generally uncomfortable for both male and female which often displays symptoms like itching, pain on urination, bad odour and general discomfort in the private area."
"Some harmful habits like squatting when urinating, wrong method of cleaning the anus after defecating, vagina douching, use of perfumes on the private area, use of dirty toilets and use of wet underwear may predispose a person to toilet infection."
Damilola Dimeji -Ajayi (2018) guardian.ng
Going round the Campuses across the nation, this had been the general challenge faced by our female students apart from class works, disease gotten from unclean toilets has affected many students.
Speaking with a Hostel Mayoress at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, she complained on the lack of cooperation from the fellow students in maintaining the restrooms, although there are cleaners working to clean the restrooms but Students don't really understand the essence of self coordination to fighting toilet infection and they are the ones suffering it.
However, speaking with some Vice Chancellors on this subject matter, they disclosed their efforts in curbing the infections affecting the students; "We have enforced them, stage campaigns to give them health orientation but it is like we are choking them, they also described the causes as a result of lack of self discipline to cleaning their environment, their rooms as well as the rest rooms.
In the development to this case, Dr. Morayo Brown-Afolabi, the Principal Host, Your View on Television Continental, also the Patron of All Campus Show, she described Nigerian Students as the best in the world, referring to how they positively represent globally.
All Campus Show's Patron, Dr. Morayo in his statement with All Campus Show reporter said:
"The importance of maintaining a clean environment cannot be overemphasized as there is no doubt about the harm an untidy environment causes on our health. The responsibility is vested on everyone to keep the campus environment clean, especially in shared spaces like campus restrooms. By keeping the restrooms clean, we can prevent the spread of infections and create an clean environment for ourselves."
"To the students, it might seem like the management is intruding, but it is important to remember that keeping the restrooms clean is for everyone's benefit."
"Students (female students in particular) must play their part by keeping the restrooms clean and tidy, which will help prevent the spread of infections."
"It is therefore important that everyone takes responsibility for keeping the campus restrooms clean. By working together and doing our part, we can create a safer and healthier environment for everyone."