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

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).