Objective To investigate the construction and use of sanitary toilets in rural areas of Chongqing, China, and to explore the factors affecting the coverage of sanitary toilets.

Methods From June to August 2020, a total of 2 000 rural households from 20 districts and counties of Chongqing were randomly selected by the multi-stage sampling method to conduct a survey on the construction and use of sanitary toilets. R software was used to analyze influencing factors for the coverage of sanitary toilets.

Results Among the 2 000 rural households, 1 773 used sanitary toilets, with a coverage rate of 88.65%. There were 2 956 sanitary toilets, with an average of 1.48 sanitary toilets per household, and 2 881 of them were in use, with a utilization rate of 97.46%. The main types of sanitary toilets included toilets with a complete sewer flushing system (42.30%) and toilets with a three chamber septic tank (40.78%). The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the age of the householder, education level, family size, usual family size, annual per capita family income, and hygiene habits were the influencing factors for sanitary toilet coverage in rural areas.

Conclusion The overall coverage rate and utilization rate of sanitary toilets in rural areas of Chongqing are relatively high. Young householders, high education level, medium-sized families, high annual per capita family income and good hygiene habits can promote toilet reforming. Authorities should focus on helping rural families with old householders, low income and low education level, and strive to improve the hygiene awareness and habits of rural residents in Chongqing.