Evaluation of Jordanian Healthcare Providers’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Patterns towards Probiotics

ABSTRACT

Objectives

The current study aimed to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns of health-care providers (HCPs) toward probiotics.

Methods

This was a face-to-face interview in a random sample (n = 205) of physicians and clinical pharmacist in different Jordanian health-care institutions during the period of 1, June 2017–31, August 2017. A structured validated questionnaire was used to achieve study objectives.

Results

Half of HCPs (51.5%) had fair knowledge about probiotics, and pediatricians were the most knowledgeable group of HCPs. Around Fifty-nine percent of HCPs had positive attitudes toward probiotics. However, less than half of HCPs (41.0%) had ever recommended or prescribed probiotics to patients.

Conclusion

The results of this study reveal that HCPs have limited knowledge of probiotics although they have positive attitudes toward them. This is not reflected in their own clinical practice. Additional training and education about probiotics among HCPs are very imperative to enhance patient’s care.

KEYWORDS:

• Probiotics
• health-care providers
• knowledge
• attitude
• prescribing

Article highlights

• Probiotics use is increasing worldwide; however, health-care providers’ knowledge and attitudes are not fully explored.

• Knowledge and attitudes of health-care providers are not optimum.

• The lack of information about available probiotics products was identified as a main barrier against prescribing probiotics.

• Health-care policies should promote efforts to educate health-care providers about probiotics.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer Disclosures

A reviewer on this manuscript has disclosed that they have received in the last three years grants and fund research by: Bayer,Probiotical, Valeas and Hulka. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no other relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Author contributions

MA and NE were involved in the conception and design of the study. MA, NE and AA were involved in the analysis and interpretation of the data. MA and NE were responsible for drafting the manuscript and AA revised it critically for intellectual content. All authors approved the final versions to be published; and all authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was funded by the Deanship of Research/Jordan University of Science and Technology.