France: knowledge and behaviors about microbiota 2023 results
The Biocodex Microbiota Institute commissioned Ipsos to carry out a major international survey of 6,500 individuals across seven countries (France, Spain, Portugal, the USA, Brazil, Mexico, and China): the International Microbiota Observatory.
Microbiota are essential to our health, but remain poorly understood worldwide. The French are among the least inclined to change their behavior to protect their microbiota.
- 1. In terms of knowledge about their microbiota, the French display a number of deficiencies
- 2. They show the least knowledge about the various behaviors to adopt
- 3. Few specific behaviors adpoted to preserve the balance of their microbiota...
- 4. Moreover, the French are the least likely to discuss the matter with their doctor
- Methodology
1. In terms of knowledge about their microbiota, the French display a number of deficiencies.
For example, they are the least likely to know the precise meaning of terms such as “probiotic” (31% vs. 43% overall) or “prebiotic” (14% vs. 27% overall).
French people are the least likely to know the precise meaning of terms such as “probiotic”.
French people are the least likely to know the precise meaning of terms such as “prebiotic”.
2. They show the least knowledge about the various behaviors to adopt.
Compared to citizens of other countries, they are less likely to know that consuming probiotics (45% vs. 62% overall) and prebiotics (31% vs. 51% overall) can have beneficial effects on the microbiota.
What exactly are probiotics?
Find out more...3. The French are also the least likely to have adopted specific behaviors to preserve the balance of their microbiota...
with only 47% having done so (10 points below the overall figure) and only 10% claiming to do so “a lot” (5 points below the overall figure).
4. Moreover, the French are the least likely to discuss the matter with their doctor.
Only 27% say they have ever been prescribed probiotics or prebiotics (versus 46% overall). They are also the least likely to say that their doctor has explained the behaviors that need to be adopted (25% vs. 44% overall). Lastly, only 1 in 4 French people has ever had the role of their microbiota explained to them (23% vs. 37% overall). Only 1 in 10 has had their doctor suggest that they test their microbiota (14% vs. 30% overall).
Only 1 in 4 French people has ever had the role of their microbiota explained to them.
Only 1 in 10 has had their doctor suggest that they test their microbiota.
In France, patient education is now key to explaining both the role of the microbiota and the behaviors needed to best preserve them. Here, doctors have a part to play.
Methodology
The Ipsos Panel conducted a major online international survey involving 6,500 individuals, surveyed between March 21 and April 7, 2023 in 7 countries: the United States, Brazil, Mexico, France, Portugal, Spain and China.
Data was collected using the quota method, which is the most commonly used sampling plan for obtaining a representative sample of a study population. The quota variables for each country were:
- gender
- age
- region
- socio-professional category
The survey population included 48% men and 52% women. The average age was 46.9 years. The sample of 6,500 individuals allowed a detailed analysis by age group: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-59, 60 and over.
The 26-question included:
- socio-demographic data
- assessment of knowledge of the microbiota
- the level of and desire for information from healthcare professionals
- identification and adoption of behaviors aimed at combating microbiota imbalance
- women’s level of knowledge, information and behavior with regard to the vulvovaginal microbiota
- health data
