Abstract
Little is known about probiotic consumption or beliefs, in spite of its enhanced availability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes of Saudi publics towards the oral benefits of probiotics. The web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 600 Saudi individuals through a questionnaire which was randomly distributed through online social media. Each of them was asked to complete a questionnaire including socio-demographic data and took a probiotic knowledge test. Probiotic knowledge was significantly linked with marital status, gender and those who are working in the health field, Majority of them were females (87.1%) being more knowledgeable than males (79.9%). The highest percentages of participants who heard about beneficial bacteria were those who are in the age group 36-45 years old at 87.3%, highly educated at 87.5%, postgraduates at 89.2%, married at 88.9%, and those who are working in the health field at 94.4%. Although beneficial, lack of sufficient knowledge concerning probiotics restricted its usage among few respondents. There is a need for further education and promotion of the general public in regards to the definition, oral benefits, sources and usage of probiotics.
Highlights
Little is known about probiotic consumption or beliefs, in spite of its enhanced availability
Each of them was asked to complete a questionnaire including socio-demographic data and took a probiotic knowledge test.Probiotic knowledge was significantly linked with marital status, gender and those who are working in the health field, Majority of them were females (87.1%) being more knowledgeable than males (79.9%)
The highest percentages of participants who heard about beneficial bacteria were those who are in the age group 36-45 years old at 87.3%, highly educated at 87.5%, postgraduates at 89.2%, married at 88.9%, and those who are working in the health field at 94.4%
Summary
Little is known about probiotic consumption or beliefs, in spite of its enhanced availability. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes of Saudi publics towards the oral benefits of probiotics. It has been documented that the gastrointestinal tract of an adult human contains up to 500 different species of microorganisms present in interdependence with the host, providing benefits such as protection against microbial infections, stimulating immune function. Any decrease in this normal endogenous flora may lead to the microbial imbalance which might result in gastroenteritis and diarrhea.[3] The term “functional food” was introduced in Japan in the 1980s describing food products fortified with special constituents that provide beneficial health effect. Recent studies have shown a high level of awareness, knowledge, and consumption of probiotics supplements in some developed countries such as Canada, Australia, and the USA which deliver an advanced health care system,[3] this appears in contrary to some developing countries such as Nigeria and Arabian Gulf countries.[6]
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