ORIGINAL PAPER
Awareness, attitude and usage of probiotics for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea among caregivers and HCPs in Poland: a cross-sectional study
1
Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
2
Department of Pediatrics with Clinical Assessment Unit, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
3
General Association for Good Clinical Practice, Warsaw, Poland
Submission date: 2021-07-12
Acceptance date: 2021-07-20
Publication date: 2021-09-29
Pediatr Pol 2021;96(3):157-161
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
This cross-sectional study aimed at obtaining and analyzing data on awareness, attitude and usage of probiotics for AAD prevention in children among caregivers and doctors in Poland.
Material and methods:
This was a self-administered survey of the children’s caregivers. The survey evaluated caregivers’ opinion on probiotics efficacy in AAD prevention, obtained data about probiotic preparations used and their source of recommendation. Probiotics were classified basing on ESPGHAN recommendations in AAD prevention.
Results:
Probiotics were used in 99.4% (n = 456/463). 190 patients used recommended strains, 162 patients used preparations without proven efficacy. In 87% of cases (n = 397/456), probiotics were advised by doctors, out of which 56% were recommended strains. 32% of them had proven efficacy.
Conclusions:
Our study showed a positive attitude of caregivers towards probiotics for AAD prevention. However, almost half of the preparations were without proven efficacy. HCPs education on the field of probiotics is warranted.
This cross-sectional study aimed at obtaining and analyzing data on awareness, attitude and usage of probiotics for AAD prevention in children among caregivers and doctors in Poland.
Material and methods:
This was a self-administered survey of the children’s caregivers. The survey evaluated caregivers’ opinion on probiotics efficacy in AAD prevention, obtained data about probiotic preparations used and their source of recommendation. Probiotics were classified basing on ESPGHAN recommendations in AAD prevention.
Results:
Probiotics were used in 99.4% (n = 456/463). 190 patients used recommended strains, 162 patients used preparations without proven efficacy. In 87% of cases (n = 397/456), probiotics were advised by doctors, out of which 56% were recommended strains. 32% of them had proven efficacy.
Conclusions:
Our study showed a positive attitude of caregivers towards probiotics for AAD prevention. However, almost half of the preparations were without proven efficacy. HCPs education on the field of probiotics is warranted.
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