Evaluating the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the UAE community on microbiota composition and the main factors affecting it: a cross-sectional study

Barqawi, Hiba Jawdat; Adra, Saryia; Ramzi, Hiba Riad; Abouaggour, Mahmoud Alaa; Almehairi, Shamma Khamis

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047869

Cited by 20 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 45 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The perspectives observed in our sample are not uncommon. A cross-sectional survey distributed among adults in the United Arab Emirates found that while respondents understood a basic definition of the microbiota, they lacked understanding of its role in disease protection and immunity, with HCP knowledge not significantly higher than that of non-HCPs (31).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Older adults and healthcare professionals have limited awareness of the link between the Mediterranean diet and the gut microbiome for healthy aging

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ObjectivesStrategies to improve the gut microbiome through consuming an improved diet, including adopting the Mediterranean Diet (MD), may promote healthy aging. We explored older adults’ and healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) perspectives of the MD, gut health, and microbiome for their role in healthy aging.DesignPhenomenological qualitative.SettingCommunity-dwelling older adults and HCPs in primary and secondary care in Ireland.ParticipantsOlder adults (aged 55 + years), recruited through social, retirement and disease-support groups. HCPs recruited through researcher networks and professional associations.MeasurementsSemi-structured 1:1 interviews and focus groups (FGs) conducted remotely with older adults and HCPs separately. Interviews/FGs were recorded, transcribed, and coded using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsForty-seven older adults were recruited (50% male; 49% aged 60–69 years; 28% 70 +), and 26 HCPs including dietitians (n = 8); geriatricians (n = 6); clinical therapists (n = 4); nurses, pharmacists, catering managers, and meal-delivery service coordinators (n = 2 each). Older adults considered the MD “a nice way to enjoy food,” good for cardiovascular health and longevity, but with accessibility and acceptability challenges (increased salads/fish, different food environments, socio-cultural differences). HCPs felt the MD is included in healthy eating advice, but not overtly, mostly through the promotion of mixed-fiber intake. Older adults considered “live” yogurt and probiotics, and to a lesser extent fiber, to maintain a “healthy gut,” suggesting the gut has “something to do with” cognitive and digestive health. Overall, microbiota-health effects were considered “not common knowledge” among most older adults, but becoming more topical among both professionals and the public with advancing scientific communication.ConclusionWhile “gut health” was considered important, specific effects of the MD on gut microbiota, and the significance of this for healthy aging, was under-recognized. Future efforts should explain the importance to older adults of maintaining the gut microbiota through diet, while appreciating perspectives of probiotic products and supplements.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Older adults and healthcare professionals have limited awareness of the link between the Mediterranean diet and the gut microbiome for healthy aging

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The correct composition of microorganisms inhabiting the terminal gastrointestinal tract prevents the settlement of pathogens, thus protecting against the development of many diseases, including metabolic diseases. A 2021 study by Barqawi et al [ 36 ] found that more than ¾ of respondents ( n = 321; 76.6%) were familiar with the term “microbiota.” The results of a study conducted on the population of residents of the United Arab Emirates are interesting against this background. This is because it was proven that respondents declaring membership in the medical industry had the highest level of knowledge in this area, giving >66% correct answers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Colorectal Cancer and the Role of the Gut Microbiota—Do Medical Students Know More Than Other Young People?—Cross-Sectional Study

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

(1) Background: Malignant neoplasms account for an increasing share of the disease burden of the world population and are an increasingly common cause of death. In the aspect of colorectal cancer, increasing attention is paid to the microbiota. According to current knowledge, the composition of gut microbiota in patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer significantly differs from the composition of microorganisms in the intestines of healthy individuals. (2) Material and methods: The survey included 571 students from the three universities located in Silesia. The research tool was an original, anonymous questionnaire created for the study. The ratio of correct answers to the total number of points possible to obtain was evaluated according to the adopted criteria (≤25%—very low level of knowledge; >75%—high level of knowledge). (3) Results: From the questions about the gut microbiota, the subjects scored an average of six points (SD ± 1.31) out of nine possible points. Statistical analysis showed differences between the number of correct answers among students of the Medical University of Silesia and the University of Silesia (p = 0.04, p < 0.05). On the other hand, in the field of colorectal cancer, the respondents scored on average four points (SD ± 2.07) out of eight possible. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the ratio of correct answers and the respondent’s university affiliation (p < 0.05). Both age and place of residence did not positively correlate with knowledge level (p = 0.08 NS). In contrast, chronic diseases were found to have a significant effect on the amount of information held by the students surveyed (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The level of knowledge of the surveyed students of the Silesia Province is unsatisfactory. The higher awareness among the students of medical universities results from the presence of issues related to microbiota and CRC in the medical educational content. Therefore, there is a need to consider the introduction of educational activities in the field of cancer prevention, including CRC, especially among non-medical university students.

show abstract

“…These observations are consistent with previous studies, which demonstrated that participants with a medical background are aware of the microbiome concept but lack enough understanding of novel discoveries in this rapidly evolving field. For instance, general knowledge of microbiome science was adequate; however, the knowledge level on tissue-specific microbial composition, such as those in the oral cavity, was low in participants with a medical background in previous studies in the UAE and US [ 18 , 19 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Few studies have examined the knowledge of the public and healthcare professionals worldwide on human microbiome science. A study conducted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported that knowledge of the microbiome is generally low and positively correlated with the status and level of education of health professionals [ 18 ]. More importantly, the study found that antibiotics were improperly administered, which could have resulted in dysbiosis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the knowledge on microbiome and dysbiosis in allergic diseases among medical sciences students in Saudi Arabia

Alamri

AlKhater

2022

Clin Mol Allergy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Microbiome science deals with the development of diseases that are derived from the interaction between the host immune system and microbes. Microbiome disturbance or dysbiosis has been increasingly recognized as an important contributor to the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. Thus, this field is pivotal in the management of allergic disorders. Despite the increasing prevalence of allergic disorders in Saudi Arabia, medical students lack knowledge of microbiome science. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of medical sciences students on the human microbiome, dysbiosis, and management of the impaired microbiome with a focus on allergic diseases and asthma. Methods An online survey was designed, validated, and distributed to 100 final-year students and interns majoring in clinical nutrition, public health, and clinical laboratory sciences at a single university in Saudi Arabia. The study period was from November 2020 to January 2021. Results The overall knowledge of the human microbiome was adequate among the participants, but their understanding of dysbiosis and management of the impaired microbiome was low to moderate. Knowledge of dysbiosis management was significantly higher in students majoring in clinical nutrition than in those majoring in public health and clinical laboratory sciences. Conclusions Collectively, this study provides the first evidence that knowledge of specific domains of microbiome science among a cohort of medical sciences students in Saudi Arabia is insufficient. Large-scale studies are warranted to confirm these observations at a national level, and specific curriculum modifications are necessary to improve the knowledge of future healthcare professionals about clinical applications of microbiome science.

show abstract

Evaluating the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the UAE community on microbiota composition and the main factors affecting it: a cross-sectional study

Cited by 20 publications

References 45 publications

Older adults and healthcare professionals have limited awareness of the link between the Mediterranean diet and the gut microbiome for healthy aging

Older adults and healthcare professionals have limited awareness of the link between the Mediterranean diet and the gut microbiome for healthy aging

Colorectal Cancer and the Role of the Gut Microbiota—Do Medical Students Know More Than Other Young People?—Cross-Sectional Study

Evaluating the knowledge on microbiome and dysbiosis in allergic diseases among medical sciences students in Saudi Arabia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About