Consumer attitudes towards probiotic supplements

Abstract

he relevance of gut microbiota in a number of physiological and metabolic processes is undisputed. They have an extremely important role in the prevention and treatment of many lifestyle diseases. Modern man suffers from its constant decomposition. Measures to modulate and stabilise the intestinal balance include dietary supplements containing probiotic strains. The aim of the study was to identify attitudes towards probiotic supplements. The study included 234 respondents of varying gender, age, education, frequency of probiotic consumption and self-assessed knowledge of probiotics. A diagnostic survey method was used. Attitudes were identified using a 5-degree Likert scale. The majority of respondents (64%) declared a positive attitude, the remainder were neutral. No negative attitudes were declared. Factors significantly affecting attitude intensity included frequency of probiotic consumption (p < 0.001), gender (p < 0.025) and declared knowledge (p < 0.04). The use of positive attitudes should be considered in health promotion and management.

Keywords

• attitudes
• supplements
• human microbiota
• probiotics