Evaluating Knowledge of Human Microbiota among University Students in Jordan, an Online Cross-Sectional Survey
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1. Study Population and Design
2.2. Questionnaire Design
2.3. Ethical Approval
2.4. Data Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Demographics and General Characteristics of Participants
3.2. General Knowledge of Microbiota
3.3. Knowledge of the Relationship between Antibiotics and Microbiota
3.4. Knowledge Scores among Various Groups of Participants
3.5. Effect of Microbiota Knowledge on Probiotic Use and Behavioral Beliefs
3.6. Willingness to Learn about Microbiota
4. Discussion
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Ethical Statements
References
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Count | Percent | |
---|---|---|
Gender | ||
Male | 155 | 38.6% |
Female | 247 | 61.4% |
Total | 402 | 100.0% |
Year of study | ||
First year | 97 | 24.1% |
Second year | 206 | 51.2% |
Third year | 73 | 18.2% |
Fourth year | 18 | 4.5% |
Fifth year | 4 | 1.0% |
Sixth year | 4 | 1.0% |
Total | 402 | 100.0% |
Field of study | ||
Healthcare-related | 284 | 70.6% |
Not healthcare-related | 118 | 29.4% |
Total | 402 | 100.0% |
Reported knowledge level | ||
Advanced knowledge | 157 | 39.1% |
Basic knowledge | 202 | 50.2% |
Poor knowledge | 43 | 10.7% |
Total | 402 | 100.0% |
Statement | Agree a | Uncertain | Disagree |
---|---|---|---|
(1) The majority of bacteria in the world do not cause disease to humans. | 324 | 12 | 66 |
80.6% | 3.0% | 16.4% | |
(2) Bacterial cells outnumber human cells in our bodies. | 203 | 68 | 131 |
50.5% | 16.9% | 32.6% | |
(3) Presence of bacteria on the skin will always cause disease in humans. | 58 | 9 | 335 |
14.4% | 2.2% | 83.3% | |
(4) Presence of bacteria in the gut will always cause disease in humans | 69 | 12 | 321 |
17.2% | 3.0% | 79.9% | |
(5) Presence of bacteria in the brain will always cause disease in humans | 277 | 71 | 54 |
68.9% | 17.7% | 13.4% | |
(6) Exercise can positively affect the beneficial bacteria in the human body | 320 | 61 | 21 |
79.6% | 15.2% | 5.2% | |
(7) Bacteria living in the human body changes between countries and ethnicities | 266 | 38 | 98 |
66.2% | 9.5% | 24.4% | |
(8) Presence of bacteria on the skin can be beneficial to humans. | 356 | 14 | 32 |
88.6% | 3.5% | 8.0% | |
(9) Presence of bacteria in the gut can be beneficial to humans | 358 | 17 | 27 |
89.1% | 4.2% | 6.7% | |
(10) Presence of bacteria in the brain can be beneficial to humans | 71 | 99 | 232 |
17.7% | 24.6% | 57.7% | |
(11) Healthy food should never contain any type of bacteria. | 80 | 37 | 285 |
19.9% | 9.2% | 70.9% | |
(12) Antibiotics only kill harmful bacteria. | 82 | 20 | 300 |
20.4% | 5.0% | 74.6% | |
(13) Antibiotics can kill beneficial bacteria. | 367 | 17 | 18 |
91.3% | 4.2% | 4.5% | |
(14) Antibiotic use may cause disease by killing beneficial bacteria. | 342 | 33 | 27 |
85.1% | 8.2% | 6.7% | |
(15) Bacteria can be given orally to replace beneficial bacteria killed after antibiotic therapy. | 198 | 108 | 96 |
49.3% | 26.9% | 23.9% |
Variable | Knowledge Score (0–15) (Mean ± SD) | p-Value | |
---|---|---|---|
Field of study | Healthcare related | 11.8 ± 2.4 | |
Not healthcare-related | 9.6 ± 2.6 | <0.001 | |
Gender | Male | 11.3 ± 2.7 | |
Female | 11.1 ± 2.6 | 0.438 | |
Year of study a | First | 10.0 | |
Second | 11.6 | ||
Third | 11.3 | - | |
Fourth | 11.1 | ||
Fifth | 13.0 | ||
Sixth | 13.8 | ||
Reported knowledge level | Advanced knowledge (took at least one microbiology course) | 12.8 ± 2.0 | |
Basic knowledge (personal reading or biology classes) | 10.2 | <0.001 | |
Poor knowledge (never read or taken a course that discusses bacteria) | 9.5 |
Advanced Knowledge (N = 157) | Basic/Poor Knowledge (N = 245) | p-Value | OR (95% CI) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Statement | Count | Percentage | Count | Percentage | |||
Antibiotics only kill harmful bacteria | Agree | 13 | 8.3% | 89 | 36.3% | <0.001 | 0.158 (0.085–0.295) |
Antibiotics can kill beneficial bacteria | Agree | 154 | 98.1% | 213 | 86.9% | <0.001 | 0.130 (0.039–0.431) |
Antibiotic use may cause disease by killing beneficial bacteria | Agree | 152 | 96.8% | 190 | 77.6% | <0.001 | 0.114 (0.044–0.291) |
Bacteria can be given orally to replace beneficial bacteria killed after antibiotic therapy | Agree | 98 | 62.4% | 100 | 40.8% | <0.001 | 0.415 (0.275–0.626) |
Advanced Knowledge (N = 157) | Basic/Poor Knowledge (N = 245) | p-Value | OR (95% CI) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Statement | Count | Percentage | Count | Percentage | |||
I would ingest a pill that contains bacteria as a treatment for disease if available | Agree | 132 | 84.1% | 222 | 90.6% | 0.058 | 1.828 (0.997–3.351) |
My lifestyle choices are affected by my knowledge of beneficial bacteria in the human body | Agree | 130 | 82.8% | 189 | 77.1% | 0.207 | 0.701 (0.421–1.168) |
My Diet is affected by my knowledge of beneficial bacteria in the human body | Agree | 108 | 68.8% | 162 | 66.1% | 0.588 | 0.886 (0.577–1.360) |
My use of antibiotics is affected by my knowledge of beneficial bacteria in the human body | Agree | 152 | 96.8% | 210 | 85.7% | <0.001 | 0.197 (0.076–0.515) |
. | Advanced Knowledge (N = 157) | Basic/Poor Knowledge (N = 245) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Statement | Count | Percentage | Count | Percentage | |
I would like to learn more about how bacteria in the human body can affect health and disease | Yes | 150 | 95.5% | 225 | 91.8% |
No | 7 | 4.5% | 20 | 8.2% | |
If yes, which of the following sources would you use? (You can choose multiple options) | Trusted medical sources | 112 | 71.3% | 172 | 70.2% |
Healthcare workers | 53 | 33.8% | 96 | 39.2% | |
News outlets | 19 | 12.1% | 42 | 17.1% | |
Social media | 69 | 43.9% | 114 | 46.5% |
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Abu-Humaidan, A.H.A.; Alrawabdeh, J.A.; Theeb, L.S.; Hamadneh, Y.I.; Omari, M.B. Evaluating Knowledge of Human Microbiota among University Students in Jordan, an Online Cross-Sectional Survey. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 13324. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182413324
Abu-Humaidan AHA, Alrawabdeh JA, Theeb LS, Hamadneh YI, Omari MB. Evaluating Knowledge of Human Microbiota among University Students in Jordan, an Online Cross-Sectional Survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18(24):13324. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182413324
Chicago/Turabian StyleAbu-Humaidan, Anas H. A., Jawad A. Alrawabdeh, Laith S. Theeb, Yazan I. Hamadneh, and Mohammad B. Omari. 2021. "Evaluating Knowledge of Human Microbiota among University Students in Jordan, an Online Cross-Sectional Survey" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 24: 13324. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182413324