The Director of Womanhood, School of Health Science Kaduna, Hajiya Maryam Abubakar has said the rate of toilet infections among women and men has become worrisome.
She said it was worsened by negligence as people still engage in open defecation particularly in the rural areas.
Hajiya Maryam in a statement to mark this year’s World Toilet Day said the perception that toilet infection was a feminine disease was wrong, adding that men could easily get the infection by simply having sex with infected women.
She said toilet infection is a condition in which a person experiences discomfort such as burning, itching as well as unpleasant and foul odour coming out from the vagina.
“Many toilets in the country are an eye sore. In fact, they serve as places where infections are distributed because of their dirty nature. The people, particularly, the women need privacy for toileting and would be willing to use any kind of toilet when they are pressed. A United Nation Report indicates that toilets save lives because human waste spreads killer diseases,” she said.
She said there was need for public enlightenment campaign to discourage open defecation, and also encourage use of hand sanitizers after going to the toilet.
Abubakar advised parents to protect themselves and their children from diseases by keeping their toilets and surroundings clean. She also encouraged washing of hands with soap and water after using the toilet.
“Always flush the toilet before sitting on it to avoid splashing contaminated liquid on yourself and women should change their underwear regularly,” she advised.
