443 Million School Days Missed due to Toilet Sanitation Problem

Did you know that globally, toilet sanitation problem leads to 443 million missed school days a year? This was revealed in a study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighting poor sanitation and hygiene practices, including using unsanitary toilets, causing the problem. 

Global toilet sanitation problem leads to 443 million missed school days

Can you imagine that - 443 million days?! This number of sick days is equivalent to all grade school and high school classrooms in the Philippines being empty for one month. This sanitation-related concern hinders the children’s learning and significantly reduces their quality of life.

According to Dr. Luisa Efren of the Philippine Public Health Association (PPHA), the simple act of proper toilet sanitation can help prevent the spread of these germs. However, children continue to be at risk from these deadly diseases because many households still use ordinary laundry bleach to clean their toilet bowls, which is not enough to kill all toilet germs.

“A toilet that looks clean to the naked eye may not necessarily be free from germs and bacteria. So, it is very important to properly sanitize all surfaces using a germ-kill expert with proven efficacy in eliminating bacteria, and not just any ordinary laundry bleach,” Dr. Efren warned.

Illnesses due to poor toilet sanitation include diarrhoeal disease and parasitic worm infections which can lead to nutritional deficiencies, physical and mental stunting, and death. Every day, millions of children in rural communities and urban households nationwide are exposed to these health problems by using dirty toilets populated by disease-carrying germs.

One Million Clean Toilets Movement with Domex Philippines

1 Million Clean Toilets Movement

For the past three years, Unilever Philippines through its germ-kill expert brand Domex, has been working with UNICEF and PPHA to champion the One Million Clean Toilets Movement.

This advocacy program aims to educate Filipinos on proper toilet hygiene and the need for sanitized household toilets to keep their families safe against disease-causing germs.

Are you ready for World Toilet Day? :)

Happy World Toilet Day! Check out, watch, and share the “Sick Days” video here: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypMNHyUwQOQ) to help keep your family and friends germ-free!


Set on November 13,  World Toilet Day, join the One Million Clean Toilets Movement in the fight against disease causing germs to save lives, one clean toilet at a time.

Domex Philippines

To learn more about Domex and how you can stay safe from disease with a germ-free home, visit Domex Philippines on Facebook.

Do join and help us promote the 1 Million Clean Toilets Movement with Unilever Philippines and Domex Philippines fight against disease by spreading awareness on the sanitation issue caused unsanitary toilets.