Background: There are approximately 160 different bacterial species in the gastrointestinal tract per person per fecal sample. The gut microbiota is a complex community of microorganisms and plays an important role in the host organism by metabolizing dietary elements into bioactive food components. This study aimed to assess the awareness and perception of the use of probiotics among healthcare workers and the general population in the Western Region, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, data were collected using a convenience sample and a self-administered online questionnaire in Arabic. For data analysis, we used statistical package for the social sciences version 26.
Results: A total of 697 completed questionnaires were received, of which 71.9% of participants were aged 18-35 years, 67.3% were female, and 91% were of Saudi nationality. Half of the studied participants (50.2%) had previously used probiotics. The study found that 29.3% of participants agreed that consuming probiotics in all forms is safe for one’s health. Our study showed a highly significant positive correlation between knowledge scores and perception scores regarding probiotic use. The most common source of information regarding probiotics was healthcare providers, and 71.5% of respondents were willing to use probiotics if they were recommended by a healthcare provider.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate a need for educational strategies such as nutrition education, media campaigns, and awareness programs to raise awareness among the general public. Furthermore, it is vital to establish efficient educational tools, such as conferences, seminars, workshops, and journal clubs, to train and empower healthcare professionals in the development of clinical practice guidelines supported by the Saudi Gastroenterology Society.
Key words: Probiotics, dietary supplements, gastrointestinal health, healthcare workers, awareness, perception
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