Why Should a Medical Student Care About Toilets?
As an MBBS student, you might think your primary focus should be on treating diseases, diagnosing conditions, and understanding human anatomy. But what if you are told that one of the greatest medical inventions isn’t a new drug, but a properly designed latrine?
Yes, something as simple as a ‘sanitary latrine’ can prevent millions of infections, reduce childhood mortality, and even improve nutritional outcomes.
First, what is meant by ‘Sanitary’?
The term "sanitary" pertains to conditions or practices that promote health and hygiene. Hence, we can have ‘sanitary well’, sanitary water supply’, etc.
What Exactly is a Sanitary Latrine?
A ‘sanitary latrine’ is a toilet that effectively disposes of human waste in a way that prevents disease transmission and environmental contamination. Hence following criteria have to be met to call a latrine as ‘sanitary’:
1. Excreta should not contaminate any water source (ground-water or surface water)
2. Excreta should not pollute the surface soil
3. Excreta should not be accessible to flies and other vectors like rats, dogs, cattle, pigs etc.
4. Excreta should not be create nuisance by either stink or nasty appearance
Unlike open defecation or poorly constructed toilets, a sanitary latrine ensures that waste is contained, treated, or disposed of in a way that protects human health and the environment.
As a prototype of sanitary latrine, ‘water-seal latrine’ is explained here:
• The squatting plate is fitted with a “water seal”
• A water seal works by using a small amount of water in a U-shaped bend (trap) in the pipe below the toilet seat or squatting plate.
A water seal is a simple but effective way to prevent bad smells and disease-carrying insects from coming out of a toilet or latrine.
• This water acts as a barrier, stopping gases and odors from rising up from the pit or septic tank.
• Every time the toilet is used and flushed with water, the seal is refreshed, ensuring cleanliness and hygiene. This system is commonly used in both household and public sanitation facilities.
Other type of latrines can also serve as sanitary latrines if they meet the above-mentioned criteria of a ‘sanitary latrine’.
• Bore hole
• Dug-well or pit
• Water-seal type of latrine
• Septic tank
• Aqua privy
These have been dealt with in another blog on ‘excreta disposal’
Why is a Sanitary Latrine a Medical Necessity?
• Preventing Fecal-Oral Diseases
o Diseases like diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, and parasitic infections spread through contaminated water and food. Sanitary latrines prevent fecal contamination of water sources, soil, and food, breaking the cycle of disease transmission.
• Reducing Stunting & Malnutrition
o You might be surprised, but poor sanitation is linked to malnutrition. Why? Because repeated infections like diarrhea lead to poor nutrient absorption, causing stunting in children.
• Lowering Maternal & Infant Mortality
o Sanitary latrines ensure clean deliveries and postpartum care, reducing the risk of puerperal sepsis and neonatal infections.
• Dignity and Safety:
o Sanitary latrines provide privacy and safety, especially for women and girls, reducing the risk of harassment or assault associated with open defecation.
• Economic Benefits:
o Improved sanitation reduces healthcare costs associated with waterborne diseases and increases productivity by keeping communities healthier.
• Controlling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
o Poor sanitation can lead to excessive antibiotic use due to repeated infections. Better sanitation can reduce the need for antibiotics, slowing down AMR.