Published July 18, 2023 | Version v1
Dataset Open

Toileting behaviours of the UK public: insights for reducing gender bias wastewater-based epidemiology sampling strategies

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Environment Centre Wales, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2UW, Gwynedd, UK
  • 2. Environmental Monitoring for Health Protection, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
  • 3. UK Health Security Agency, Environmental Monitoring for Health Protection, Windsor House, Victoria Street, London SW1H 0TL, UK Newcastle University, School of Engineering, Cassie Building, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
  • 4. Welsh Government, Cardiff CF10 3NQ, UK
  • 5. Environment Centre Wales, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
  • 6. Microbiomes, Microbes and Informatics Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK Water Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
  • 7. Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2UW, Gwynedd, UK School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, LL59 5AB, Anglesey, UK
  • 8. Bangor University, Neuadd Ogwen, School of Social Sciences, Bangor, LL57 2DG, UK.
  • 9. Environment Centre Wales, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2UW, Gwynedd, UK Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia

Description

Cross-sectional survey results from a toileting behaviour survey conducted between the 27th to the 28th of June 2022. Participants (n = 2109) were aged 18 years or older and were living in the UK. The survey consisted of 17 closed-ended questions, with 7 of the questions addressing specific demographic topics and 10 questions addressed toileting behaviour. The questionnaire was designed by a team consisting of environmental microbiologists, public health specialists, wastewater-based epidemiologists, and social scientists, based on the study objectives and incorporating information from previous studies on the same topic.  First, self-report questions were asked on typical frequency of urination and defecation, followed by self-reports of frequency of urination and defecation at a variety of locations including at home, at work, educational buildings, transport hubs, and in public toilets. The comfort in urination/defecation at these locations for defecation and urination was also measured. Other questions about toileting behaviour and health monitoring were measured by statements with a 5-point Likert scale (e.g., strongly disagree to strongly agree). 

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