EVALUATING THE AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT PROBIOTICS IN POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS OF MEDICAL COLLEGE

Abstract

Background: Probiotics are vital in maintaining gut health. With increasing drug resistance, it is crucial to keep healthy gut 
microbes making probiotics a key factor.  
Aim: The present study aimed to assess the awareness and knowledge about probiotics in students of medical college. 
Methods: the study was conducted using a questionnaire concerning the awareness of the term probiotics, sources, products, 
and technical knowledge. Term probiotics were also assessed as general commercial compositions of both probiotics and 
prebiotics. The data gathered were analyzed statistically.  
Results: Postgraduate medical students were well aware of probiotic terms, however, necessary technical specifications were 
not known during purchase, and were not familiar with trade names of probiotic preparations in the market. Medical students 
knew supplements and sources of probiotics and were unaware of the term prebiotics.  
Conclusion: students have good knowledge of probiotics and associated health benefits mainly from TV commercials, 
newspapers, and social media. However, technical information concerning commercial probiotics is lacking.