Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice towards probiotics for gut-skin axis among health science undergraduates in Malaysia

• Main Author: Ong, Teng Sin
• Format: Final Year Project / Dissertation / Thesis
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Q Science (General); RA Public aspects of medicine; RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
• Online Access: http://eprints.utar.edu.my/4930/1/fyp_2022_DT_OTS.pdf; http://eprints.utar.edu.my/4930/

Probiotics have many health advantages for the skin, including the ability to alleviate and prevent atopic dermatitis and acne vulgaris in clinical settings. The rising production of probiotic products is a result of the expanding scientific evidence of their potential benefits. As a future healthcare professional, health science undergraduate ought to have a better understanding of probiotics in order to advise future patients and the general public appropriately. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of probiotics among health science undergraduates in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was performed on 221 health science undergraduates by using self-administered online questionnaire, and the study subjects were chosen using convenience sampling method. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS software. Independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyse the statistical differences of KAP variables between sociodemographic factors. Pearson’s Chi-Square test for association was performed to study the association between skin problems and KAP variables among the respondents. The relationship between the aspects related to KAP were examined using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Among the 221 respondents, 48.0% of health science undergraduates had good knowledge, while 49.3% had acceptable attitude and 69.2% had poor practice towards probiotics. The knowledge score in females was significantly higher than the males (p=0.002). There was a significant difference in knowledge (p=0.003) and practice score (p=0.015) among different year of study. Fourth year students scored significantly better when compared to first year and second year students in knowledge and practice components. Between the three groups of CGPA range, there was a significant difference in knowledge (p<0.001) and attitude scores (p<0.001). Students with CGPA of 2.5 to 2.99 scored significantly poorer than the other groups of CGPA range in knowledge and attitude components. Significant correlations were found between the knowledge-attitude, knowledge-practice, and attitude-practice variables (p<0.001). The respondents demonstrated a good level of knowledge, moderate attitude and poor practice towards probiotics for gut-skin axis. The incorporation of scientific data regarding probiotics into undergraduate health science programmes may improve students' understanding and perception of probiotics, which can then be readily used in practice.