A Survey on Awareness of Probiotics Knowledge and its Consumption among Student Population in a University Campus

Probiotics are important pharmaceutical substitutes required for maintenance of gut health. In the present context, as the drug resistance for infectious pathogens is increasing, at alarming rate hence, it has become a dire need to boost up the immunity level so as to fight against infections. Therefore, the knowledge regarding use probiotics has relevance among each of us. With this motive, a knowledge based survey was conducted among students residing in university campus and few other higher degree professionals to gather data regarding awareness on probiotics. The respondents of the study were majorly students; hence, an analysis was done among student subcategory only. A questionnaire-based survey was framed, which had variety of questions comprising general familiarity about the term “probiotic” and its different available products, technical know-how, their sources, use, effectiveness, etc. The data analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software. The study shows that students from life science and paramedical courses are extremely familiar of the term probiotics (~40 to 50 %). Rest of the respondents, have learnt it from sources like newspaper or TV, however they did not know technical specifications necessary when purchasing these products. However, most of the respondents are quite familiar with Yakult product among various marketed probiotics products. Further, more interestingly students knew that food and supplements are the sources for probiotics but still there is a lack of proper understanding regarding concept of probiotics and its use in pharmaceuticals