4.1 Characteristics of the respondents
4.3.1 Knowledge of probiotics
Table 4.3 shows the knowledge response regarding probiotics. Majority of the respondents (97.7%) accurately identified the correct definition of probiotics.
Meanwhile, 91.4% of the respondents selected the correct probiotic strains that can be used in the manufacturing of probiotic products, which were Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis and Streptococcus thermophilus. In addition, 95.5% of the respondents selected the correct probiotics genera that are commonly used in probiotics production. Nearly all respondents (99.1%) answered correctly that yoghurt and kimchi were natural sources of probiotics. Notably, more than half of the respondents (58.8%) were not aware that probiotics can be used to improve skin barriers by improving skin hydration and hence, reducing trans-epidermal water loss. There were 36.2% of the respondents believed the true statement of probiotics can regulate intestinal microbiota and act as an adjuvant therapy in management of inflammatory skin disorders. Majority of the respondents (86.9%) answered correctly that probiotics can prevent the translocation of enteric bacteria and toxins into blood circulation by strengthening the gut barrier. Remarkably, only 33.5% of the respondents agreed on the true statement—that probiotics can assist to regulate the amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines and stimulate the synthesis of anti- inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, there were 67.0% of the respondents disagreed with the false statement, as only probiotics in pharmaceutical dosage form can work effectively in the body. More than 80% of the respondents agreed on the fact that probiotics should be consumed regularly over a long time. Most of the respondents (95.9%) also agreed that different species of probiotics has
27 different benefits to human being when consuming, which is a true statement.
About 92.8% of the respondents selected the correct optimal dosage (1 to 30 billion CFU) of probiotics consumption.
28 Table 4.3: Knowledge regarding probiotics.
Question n (%)
Correct Incorrect 1. Probiotics are live microorganisms that when digested can be
beneficial to human.
216 (97.7) 5 (2.3)
2. Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis and Streptococcus thermophilus are the common strains used in probiotics supplements
202 (91.4) 19 (8.6)
3. Yoghurt and kimchi are the natural sources of probiotics 219 (99.1) 2 (0.9)
4. Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. are the common genus of bacteria that can be found in probiotics production
211 (95.5) 10 (4.5)
5. Probiotics can be used to improve the skin barrier and affect skin hydration and trans-epidermal water loss
91 (41.2) 130 (58.8)
6. Probiotics can regulate intestinal microbiota and may become an important adjuvant therapy in management of various inflammatory skin diseases
80 (36.2) 141 (63.8)
7. Probiotics can result gut microbiota dysbiosis resulting the gut barrier is compromised, allowing bacteria and other toxins to pass into bloodstream having systemic inflammatory effects including the skin
192 (86.9) 29 (13.1)
8. The immune benefits of probiotics include the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines and the promotion of anti- inflammatory cytokines
74 (33.5) 147 (66.5)
9. Only probiotics in tablets, powder, or capsules that can work effectively in the body
148 (67.0) 73 (33.0)
10. Consumption of probiotics must be done regularly over a long time
187 (84.6) 34 (15.4)
11. Probiotics benefits are different according to their species 212 (95.9) 9 (4.1)
12. 1 – 30 billion CFU is the optimal dosage of probiotics consumption
205 (92.8）
16 (7.2)
Notes: n = number of answers in the related category.
29 4.3.2 Attitude towards probiotics
The attitude responses towards probiotics are summarized in Table 4.4. There were 87.8% of the respondents strongly agreed that probiotics can provide beneficial health effects to the human when ingested orally. However, less than 42% of the respondents disagreed that probiotics consumption could be an alternative in preventing skin disorders. Also, there were 50.2% of the respondents disagreed that probiotics could be used in treating skin problems caused by the leaky gut syndrome. Majority of the respondents (82.8%) strongly agreed that probiotics could be served as an adjunct in antibiotics treatment to alleviate the side effects of antibiotics. Furthermore, less than 25% of the respondents would recommend probiotics for their future patients in the prevention and treatment of skin problems. Notably, 85.1% of the respondents strongly agreed that they would like to know more about probiotics.
30 Table 4.4: Attitude towards probiotics.
Statement n (%)
SD D N A SA
1. Consuming probiotics are beneficial for health
0 (0) 0 (0) 5 (2.3) 22 (10.0)
194 (87.8) 2. Probiotics may be an alternative
option to prevent skin problems due to leaky gut syndrome
4 (1.8)
92 (41.6)
51 (23.1)
58 (26.2)
16 (7.2)
3. Probiotics may be an alternative option to treat skin problems due to leaky gut syndrome
11 (5.0)
111 (50.2)
57 (25.8)
36 (16.3)
6 (2.7)
4. Probiotics may prevent the side effects of antibiotics
0 (0) 4 (1.8) 8 (3.6) 26 (11.8)
183 (82.8) 5. When I have worked as a healthcare
provider, I would recommend probiotics for the prevention and treatment of skin problems
3 (1.4)
95 (43.0)
55 (24.9)
50 (22.6)
18 (8.1)
6. I want to learn more about probiotics 0 (0) 0 (0) 5 (2.3) 28 (12.7)
188 (85.1) Notes: n = number of respondents that answered the related option
Abbreviations: SD, Strongly Disagree; D, Disagree; N, Neutral; A, Agree; SA, Strongly Agree
31 4.3.3 Practice towards probiotics
Table 4.5 shows the practice response towards probiotics. More than half of the respondents (>50.0%) had consumed probiotic supplements and without searching additional information on probiotics. About 40.0% of the respondents recommended probiotics to their family or close relatives. There were 58.8% of the respondents have consumed probiotic supplements in the last month. Most of the respondents (66.5%) did consume probiotics from food sources other than supplements. Remarkably, majority of the respondents stated that they consumed probiotics product not intended to prevent (70.1%) or treat (77.8%) skin problems due to leaky gut syndrome. In addition, 57.9% of the respondents stated that they consumed probiotic products not intended to enhance their immune health. More than half of the respondents (82.4%) reported that they consumed probiotics products not intended to prevent the side effects of antibiotics.
32 Table 4.5: Practice towards probiotics.
Question n (%)
Positive response
Negative response 1. Have consumed probiotic supplement before 131 (59.3) 90 (40.7) 2. Searched for additional information regarding
probiotics from various sources
96 (43.4) 125 (56.6)
3. Have recommended family/close relatives to consume probiotics
94 (42.5) 127 (57.5)
4. Pharmaceutical form of probiotic supplement has consumed in the last month
130 (58.8) 91 (41.2)
5. Frequency of consuming probiotics supplement in the last month
136 (61.5) 85 (38.5)
6. Most frequently consumed type of probiotics products in the last month
147 (66.5) 74 (33.5)
7. Have been consuming probiotic products to prevent skin problems due to leaky gut syndrome for the past month
66 (29.9) 155 (70.1)
8. Have been consuming probiotic products to treat skin problems due to leaky gut syndrome for the past month
49 (22.2) 172 (77.8)
9. Have been consuming probiotics products to enhance the immune system for the past month
93 (42.1) 128 (57.9)
10. Have been consuming probiotics products to prevent the side effects of antibiotics for the past month
39 (17.6) 182 (82.4)
Notes: n = number of answers in the related category.