222 / 238
222
29
th
CONGRESS OF THE ESPU
10:40–10:50
S1-7 (LO)
A NEW METHOD OF GROUP TOILET TRAINING IN DAYCARE
CENTERS
Tinne VAN AGGELPOEL
1
, Stefan DE WACHTER
1
, Hedwig NEELS
2
and Alexandra
VERMANDEL
1
1) University Hospital Antwerp, Urology, Edegem, BELGIUM - 2) Antwerp University, Faculty of Medicine and Health
Sciences, Wilrijk, BELGIUM
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
In Western society there is a distinct shift to a progressively later initiation of toilet training (TT) and
an increasing age of acquiring full bladder control. There is a need to reform TT to decrease the
disadvantages of postponing TT. This study is the first to investigate prospectively the efficacy of
intensive group toilet training in children in daycare centers.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A clustered RCT was established in twelve daycare centers. We included 24 diaper-dependent
children, aged 18 to 30 months. Clusters of participants (per daycare center) were randomly dis-
tributed to an intervention- and a control group (IG1 and CG respectively). IG1 was subjected to an
intensive TT group session lasting 2-hours during 2 consecutive days. Parents received a leaflet
containing practical tips on how to continue TT. In CG parents were encouraged to start TT in their
own manner. Evolution of the TT process was monitored during the following 6 weeks. Statistical
analysis was performed using 'SPSS 24'.
RESULTS
Completion of toilet training was achieved in 93 % (14/15) and 44 % (4/9) of the children in IG1
and CG respectively. The average training duration was 2.07 weeks and 4.33 weeks in IG1 and
CG respectively. Duration of TT was significantly different between both groups (p=.023) and was
significantly correlated to the different groups (p=0,004). 41,2 % of the variance in training duration
between both groups can be attributed to starting age, number of siblings and if parents had already
started TT. The average starting age in IG1 was 26,12 months and 25 months in CG. The starting
age was not significantly associated with the training duration.
CONCLUSIONS
Group TT can already be initiated in daycare centers through means of an adequate method of TT
and will shorten the training duration. Large scale study is required to validate these results. These
significant findings are clinically relevant for parents, caregivers and educators.