[How important are attitudes towards washroom hygiene and spitting in schools? A telephone survey of school attendants in the Baselstadt canton, April 1998].

The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk spitting poses for students at Basle schools and to document the state of their toilet facilities. A telephone survey with 43 caretakers of the 56 Basle schools revealed, that spitting was considered a problem at 75% of the schools and that at every 4th school it had recently gotten worse. Apart from spitting on the floor (93%), spitting at walls and windows (32%), doors (20%), mirrors (16%), and occasionally at other persons (14%) occurred. Just about every school was equipped with the advised number of toilet units and urinals. On the other hand, 29% of handdrying mechanisms and 36% of soap-type offered as well as 39% of cleaning frequencies of facilities did not correspond to advised norms. 93% of toilet flushing mechanisms, 38% of the urinals and 96% of the washbasins had to be operated manually. This survey shows that spitting was common at practically every Basle school. Spitting at each other which is risky for infection occurred only sporadically. The risk of infection by spitting probably plays a minor role compared to other routes of infection. Despite this we advise a renewed effort in informing parents and students. Toilet hygiene at Basle's schools is still deficient. The facilities should be improved by midterm investments.