Crisis in our schools: survey of sanitation facilities in schools in Bloomsbury health district.

OBJECTIVE

To survey sanitation facilities in schools in Bloomsbury health district.

DESIGN

Postal questionnaire.

SETTING

Inner London health district.

PARTICIPANTS

School nurses.

RESULTS

16 of 17 school nurses responded (37 of 41 schools). Fifteen schools did not have the minimum number of toilets and hand basins established in the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981. In two schools toilets were kept locked for most of the day. In 10 schools toilet paper was not always available, and three of five secondary schools did not have disposal units for sanitary towels in the girls' toilet areas. In 18 of the schools the toilets were not kept adequately clean.

CONCLUSIONS

These conditions raise serious questions about environmental health, with the potential for the spread of infectious diseases, and undermine attempts to teach children basic hygiene. Health professionals have an important role in assessing health and safety standards in schools and ensuring that necessary improvements are made.