Mexico: 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: essential to health, but limited global awareness. Mexicans have a better knowledge of microbiota, and are among those who have adopted most behaviors to preserve their microbiota
- 1. Mexico is probably one of the countries, along with Brazil, most educated...
- 2. Mexicans are among the most knowledgeable about the role of microbiota.
- 3. They reported having adopted the most specific behaviors to preserve their microbiota balance
- 4. Mexicans are much more likely than the others to link certain health problems to their microbiota
- 5. Above all, Mexicans address the subject much more with healthcare professionals...
- Methodology
1. Mexico is probably one of the countries, along with Brazil, most educated...
about what you need to know and do to preserve your microbiota. Latin Americans are also very familiar with the terms “intestinal flora” (68% in Brazil and 73% in Mexico) and “vaginal flora” (52% in Brazil and 43% in Mexico).
Latin Americans are very familiar with the term “intestinal flora”.
Latin Americans are very familiar with the term “vaginal flora”.
2. Mexicans are among the most knowledgeable about the role of microbiota.
For example, they are among those most aware that microbiota imbalance can have major consequences on health (81% vs. 75% overall), that our diet has a significant impact on microbiota balance (81% vs. 74% overall), and that it plays an important role in immune defense mechanisms (78% vs. 72% overall).
3. Along with Brazilians and the Chinese, they reported having adopted the most specific behaviors to preserve their microbiota balance.
Along with Brazilians, they are most aware of the importance of a balanced diet (90%) and physical activity (83%). Above all, they are particularly aware of the importance of consuming probiotics (80% vs. 62% overall) and prebiotics (70% vs. 51% overall).
What exactly are probiotics?
Find out more...4. Mexicans are much more likely than the others to link certain health problems to their microbiota
Mexicans are much more likely than the others to link certain health problems to their microbiota. Of the 8 medical problems tested, a majority of Mexicans linked 5 with microbiota. For example gastroenteritis (69%), bouts of intestinal disorders (69%), post-antibiotic diarrhea (66%) and digestive system disorders (65%).
5. Above all, Mexicans address the subject much more with healthcare professionals;
they declared to have been prescribed many more probiotics and prebiotics by their doctor (71% vs. 46% overall), to have received recommendations on the right behaviors for maintaining a good microbiota balance (63% vs. 44% overall), and to have been made aware of the importance of preserving their microbiota balance as much as possible (56% vs. 42% overall).
of Mexicans declared to have been prescribed many more probiotics and prebiotics by their doctor.
of Mexicans declared to have received recommendations on the right behaviors for maintaining a good microbiota balance.
of Mexicans declared to have been made aware of the importance of preserving their microbiota balance as much as possible.
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
