Parents’ agreement with the statements about probiotics derived from the literature review_
| Statement | True (T) False (F) | Agree N (%) | Disagree N (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probiotics work immediately after consumption. | F | 24 (23.5) | 78 (76.5) |
| It is recommended that probiotics be consumed during antibiotic treatment. | T | 93 (91.2) | 9 (8.8) |
| The use of probiotics regulates digestion. | T | 98 (96.1) | 4 (3.9) |
| The use of probiotics reduces the incidence and duration of diarrhoea. | T | 91 (89.2) | 11 (10.8) |
| Probiotics have positive benefits only on digestive tract health. | F | 25 (24.5) | 77 (75.5) |
| The composition of the gut microbiota is determined at birth and remains the same throughout life. | F | 13 (12.7) | 89 (87.3) |
| Consumption of probiotics strengthens the immune system. | T | 90 (88.2) | 12 (11.8) |
| Nutrition has a significant impact on the composition of the gut microbiota. | T | 98 (96.1) | 4 (3.9) |
| Probiotics are indigestible fibres in foods that have a beneficial effect on digestion. | F | 30 (29.4) | 72 (70.6) |
Survey subjects’ characteristics_
| Characteristics | N (%) |
|---|---|
| Gender of parents | |
| Female | 98 (96.1) |
| Male | 4 (3.9) |
| Age group | |
| 20–29 | 38 (37.2) |
| 30–39 | 57 (55.9) |
| 40–49 | 7 (6.9) |
| Level of education | |
| Primary school | 1 (0.9) |
| Secondary school | 30 (29.4) |
| College | 33 (32.5) |
| Master’s degree | 37 (36.3) |
| Doctoral degree | 1 (0.9) |
| Number of household members | |
| 2 | 3 (2.9) |
| 3 | 45 (44.1) |
| 4 | 41 (40.2) |
| 5 | 12 (11.8) |
| 6 | 1 (1) |
| Gender of child | |
| Female | 58 (56.9) |
| Male | 44 (43.1) |
| Child age (years) | |
| 0–1 | 7 (6.9) |
| 1–2 | 33 (32.3) |
| 2–3 | 12 (11.8) |
| 3–4 | 12 (11.8) |
| 4–5 | 14 (13.7) |
| 5–6 | 24 (23.5) |
| Type of delivery | |
| Vaginal delivery | 82 (80.4) |
| Caesarean section | 20 (19.6) |
| Type of feeding in first months of life | |
| Exclusively breastfeeding | 67 (65.7) |
| Combination of breastfeeding and milk formulas | 30 (29.4) |
| Exclusively milk formulas | 5 (4.9) |
Average amount of probiotic foods consumed by preschool children_
| Consumption of liquid fermented products (N=90) | M±SD (mL/day) | N (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Yogurt | 115.7±134.9 | 89 (87.2) |
| Kefir | 51.5±73.8 | 33 (32.4) |
| Buttermilk | 55.8±81.5 | 16 (15.7) |
| Acidophilus milk | 48.0±70.0 | 23 (22.5) |
| Whey | 36.9±83.7 | 12 (11.4) |
| Total: | 161.0±212.5 | 90 (88.2) |
| Consumption of solid fermented products (N=85) | M±SD (g/day) | N (%) |
| Sauerkraut | 8.7±20.5 | 44 (43.1) |
| Sour turnip | 4.7±7.4 | 23 (22.5) |
| Cheese | 12.6±13.4 | 82 (80.4) |
| Total: | 19.1±29.8 | 85 (83.3) |
Parental perspective and data on probiotics consumption_
| Characteristics | N (%) |
|---|---|
| Parental knowledge of the term ‘probiotic’ | |
| Knows how to explain the term and the benefits of probiotics consumption | 45 (44.1) |
| Familiar with the term and with the benefits of probiotics consumption | 53 (52) |
| Has heard about the term ‘probiotics’, but is not familiar with the benefits of consumption | 4 (3.9) |
| Unfamiliar with the term and with the benefits of consumption | 0 (0) |
| Source of information on probiotics | |
| Family members | 23 (7.8) |
| Friends or acquaintances | 31 (10.6) |
| Medical doctor | 28 (9.5) |
| Pharmacist | 25 (8.5) |
| Media advertising | 38 (12.9) |
| Through education | 26 (8.8) |
| Workplace | 14 (4.8) |
| Books or magazines | 54 (18.4) |
| Online | 53 (18) |
| Bioresonance therapy | 2 (0.7) |
| Encouragement factor for probiotics consumption | |
| Family members | 18 (14.4) |
| Friends or acquaintances | 20 (16) |
| Medical doctor | 16 (12.8) |
| Pharmacist | 7 (5.6) |
| Media advertising | 13 (10.4) |
| Books or magazines | 9 (7.2) |
| Health food shop | 8 (6.4) |
| Online sources | 27 (21.6) |
| Other (by themselves, bio resonance therapy) | 7 (6.8) |
| Source of parental consumption of probiotics | |
| Probiotic foods | 90 (88.2) |
| Probiotic supplements | 42 (41.2) |
| Do you consider probiotics consumption to be beneficial for your children? | |
| Yes | 90 (88.2) |
| No | 6 (5.9) |
| I don’t have enough information | 6 (5.9) |
| Are you currently including probiotics in your children’s diet? | |
| Yes | 88 (86.3) |
| No | 14 (13.7) |
| Sources of probiotics consumption by children (N = 88) | |
| Probiotic foods | 37 (36.3) |
| Probiotic supplements | 13 (12.8) |
| Combinations of probiotic foods and supplements | 29 (28.4) |
| Other (breastfeeding, milk formulas) | 9 (8.8) |
| Children’s first encounter with probiotic supplements (N = 92) | |
| During pregnancy | 12 (11.8) |
| Breastfeeding, milk formulas | 21 (20.6) |
| Introduction of solid food | 25 (24.5) |
| Antibiotic treatment | 26 (25.5) |
| Other (digestive disorders, colic, allergy) | 8 (7.8) |