Squat toilet

Squat toilets are arranged at floor level, which requires the individual to squat with bent knees. In contrast to a pedestal or a sitting toilet, the opening of the drain pipe is located at the ground level. Squatting slabs can be made of porcelain (ceramic), stainless steel, fibreglass, or in the case of low-cost versions in developing countries, with concrete, ferrocement, plastic, or wood covered with linoleum. Slabs can also be made of wood (timber), but need to be treated with preservatives, such as paint or linoleum, to prevent rotting and to enable thorough cleaning of the squatting slab. There are two design variations: one where the toilet is level with the ground, and the other where it is raised on a platform approximately 30 cm (1 ft). The latter is easier to use for people who urinate while standing, but both types can be used for this purpose. There is also no difference for defecation or squatting urination. == Use ==

The user stands over the squat toilet facing the hood and pulls down (up in the case of skirts or dress) their trousers and underwear to the knees. The user then squats over the hole, as close to the front as possible, as excrement tends to fall onto the rear edge of the in-floor receptacle if the user squats too far back. == Health, hygiene and maintenance==

The standing surface of the squatting pan should be kept clean and dry in order to prevent disease transmission and to limit odors. Health effects The squatting defecation posture is more physiological, ideal, and relaxed. Damage to these nerves can lead to permanent problems with urinary, defecation, and sexual functions. The squatting position also increases intra-abdominal pressure. Prolonged and repeated straining on a sitting toilet has the same effect. == Society and culture ==

Perceptions and trends There are two different attitudes towards squat toilets, largely dependent on what users are used to, or whether the toilet is at a public or private place: Some people regard squat toilets as more hygienic compared to sitting toilets. They might be easier to clean and there is no skin contact with the surface of the toilet seat. A trend towards more sitting toilets in countries that were traditionally using squat toilets can be observed in some urban and more affluent areas, in areas with new buildings (as well as hotels and airports) or in tourist regions. For instance, this is the case in parts of France, Italy, Greece, or the Balkans, where such toilets are somewhat common in public toilets (restrooms). They are also widespread in Turkey (), Nepal, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar, Iran, and Iraq. They can be found in nations like Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore. China Many areas in China have traditional squat toilets instead of sitting toilets, especially in public toilets. Nevertheless, sitting toilets have increasingly become the norm in major urban areas and cities. In 2015, only 1% of all toilets produced by this company were squat toilets. High-tech sitting toilets have also become commonplace in South Korea. ==Gallery==

File:Typical toilet in urban Syria- flush toilet squatting pan (3232388550).jpg|Typical toilet in urban Syria: Flush toilet squatting pan with hose on the left for anal cleansing. File:Squat toilet.JPG|Squat toilet in Tsarskoye Selo, Russia File:CRH1 toilet.jpg|Squat toilet in a CRH1A trainset on the Guangshen Line in China File:G3551 Squad Toilets.jpg|Squat toilet in Chinese High Speed train (G3551) File:Ginga train japanese style toilet.jpg|Squat toilet aboard a Japanese Ginga train File:Public toilet in Japan.jpg|Public toilet at Jozankei Hot Springs, Hokkaido, Japan File:Toilet of Indonesia 200507.jpg|Squat toilet in Indonesia File:BangBon Bangkok 28.10.2017 (1).jpg|Squat toilet in Bangkok File:Special Express No. 14 hopper toliet.jpg|Squat toilet in Special Express No. 14 (Chiang Mai - Krung Thep Aphiwat) File:Seat for people with disabilities to use a pit latrine squatting pan (Pakistan) (5600799213).jpg|Squat toilet with seat for old people or for people with disabilities File:Hybrid squat toilet (207097770).jpg|Hybrid toilet that can be used in squat mode File:2014 Picunda, Ubikacja kucana.jpg|Squat toilet in Pitsunda, Abkhazia, Georgia. File:Hocktoilette am Bahnhof in Varenna - 1.jpg|Squat toilet at a train station in Italy File:Vp squattoilet.jpg|Metal-made squat toilet in Hong Kong File:カルミックサニタイザー.jpg|Japanese squat toilet File:ส้วมนั่งยองที่ห้องน้ำของอุทยานแห่งชาติป่าหินงาม.jpg| Squat toilet at Pa Hin Ngam National Park == See also ==