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Parents’ perspective on probiotics in preschool children: A cross-sectional survey

INFORMAZIONI SU QUESTO ARTICOLO

Cita

Parents’ agreement with the statements about probiotics derived from the literature review.

Statement True (T) False (F) Agree N (%) Disagree N (%)
Probiotics work immediately after consumption. F 24 (23.5) 78 (76.5)
It is recommended that probiotics be consumed during antibiotic treatment. T 93 (91.2) 9 (8.8)
The use of probiotics regulates digestion. T 98 (96.1) 4 (3.9)
The use of probiotics reduces the incidence and duration of diarrhoea. T 91 (89.2) 11 (10.8)
Probiotics have positive benefits only on digestive tract health. F 25 (24.5) 77 (75.5)
The composition of the gut microbiota is determined at birth and remains the same throughout life. F 13 (12.7) 89 (87.3)
Consumption of probiotics strengthens the immune system. T 90 (88.2) 12 (11.8)
Nutrition has a significant impact on the composition of the gut microbiota. T 98 (96.1) 4 (3.9)
Probiotics are indigestible fibres in foods that have a beneficial effect on digestion. F 30 (29.4) 72 (70.6)

Survey subjects’ characteristics.

Characteristics N (%)
Gender of parents
Female 98 (96.1)
Male 4 (3.9)
Age group
20–29 38 (37.2)
30–39 57 (55.9)
40–49 7 (6.9)
Level of education
Primary school 1 (0.9)
Secondary school 30 (29.4)
College 33 (32.5)
Master’s degree 37 (36.3)
Doctoral degree 1 (0.9)
Number of household members
2 3 (2.9)
3 45 (44.1)
4 41 (40.2)
5 12 (11.8)
6 1 (1)
Gender of child
Female 58 (56.9)
Male 44 (43.1)
Child age (years)
0–1 7 (6.9)
1–2 33 (32.3)
2–3 12 (11.8)
3–4 12 (11.8)
4–5 14 (13.7)
5–6 24 (23.5)
Type of delivery
Vaginal delivery 82 (80.4)
Caesarean section 20 (19.6)
Type of feeding in first months of life
Exclusively breastfeeding 67 (65.7)
Combination of breastfeeding and milk formulas 30 (29.4)
Exclusively milk formulas 5 (4.9)

Average amount of probiotic foods consumed by preschool children.

Consumption of liquid fermented products (N=90) M±SD (mL/day) N (%)
Yogurt 115.7±134.9 89 (87.2)
Kefir 51.5±73.8 33 (32.4)
Buttermilk 55.8±81.5 16 (15.7)
Acidophilus milk 48.0±70.0 23 (22.5)
Whey 36.9±83.7 12 (11.4)
Total: 161.0±212.5 90 (88.2)
Consumption of solid fermented products (N=85) M±SD (g/day) N (%)
Sauerkraut 8.7±20.5 44 (43.1)
Sour turnip 4.7±7.4 23 (22.5)
Cheese 12.6±13.4 82 (80.4)
Total: 19.1±29.8 85 (83.3)

Parental perspective and data on probiotics consumption.

Characteristics N (%)
Parental knowledge of the term ‘probiotic’
Knows how to explain the term and the benefits of probiotics consumption 45 (44.1)
Familiar with the term and with the benefits of probiotics consumption 53 (52)
Has heard about the term ‘probiotics’, but is not familiar with the benefits of consumption 4 (3.9)
Unfamiliar with the term and with the benefits of consumption 0 (0)
Source of information on probiotics
Family members 23 (7.8)
Friends or acquaintances 31 (10.6)
Medical doctor 28 (9.5)
Pharmacist 25 (8.5)
Media advertising 38 (12.9)
Through education 26 (8.8)
Workplace 14 (4.8)
Books or magazines 54 (18.4)
Online 53 (18)
Bioresonance therapy 2 (0.7)
Encouragement factor for probiotics consumption
Family members 18 (14.4)
Friends or acquaintances 20 (16)
Medical doctor 16 (12.8)
Pharmacist 7 (5.6)
Media advertising 13 (10.4)
Books or magazines 9 (7.2)
Health food shop 8 (6.4)
Online sources 27 (21.6)
Other (by themselves, bio resonance therapy) 7 (6.8)
Source of parental consumption of probiotics
Probiotic foods 90 (88.2)
Probiotic supplements 42 (41.2)
Do you consider probiotics consumption to be beneficial for your children?
Yes 90 (88.2)
No 6 (5.9)
I don’t have enough information 6 (5.9)
Are you currently including probiotics in your children’s diet?
Yes 88 (86.3)
No 14 (13.7)
Sources of probiotics consumption by children (N = 88)
Probiotic foods 37 (36.3)
Probiotic supplements 13 (12.8)
Combinations of probiotic foods and supplements 29 (28.4)
Other (breastfeeding, milk formulas) 9 (8.8)
Children’s first encounter with probiotic supplements (N = 92)
During pregnancy 12 (11.8)
Breastfeeding, milk formulas 21 (20.6)
Introduction of solid food 25 (24.5)
Antibiotic treatment 26 (25.5)
Other (digestive disorders, colic, allergy) 8 (7.8)
eISSN:
1854-2476
Lingua:
Inglese
Frequenza di pubblicazione:
4 volte all'anno
Argomenti della rivista:
Medicine, Clinical Medicine, Hygiene and Environmental Medicine