Enquête sur le Conseil Officinal des Probiotiques Dans la Wilaya de SÉTIF

Abstract

Probiotics are live microorganisms that help maintain the balance of the microbiota and offer numerous health benefits. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, practices, and perceptions of community pharmacists regarding probiotics. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire distributed to community pharmacy professionals. The data collected allowed for an analysis of their knowledge, their recommendation practices, and their perceptions regarding the use of probiotics. The results showed that participants had a good general understanding of probiotics. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea was one of the main indications for recommendation. However, certain disparities were observed regarding usage practices and the level of knowledge about certain probiotic strains. Furthermore, a significant proportion of participants expressed a need for additional training to update their knowledge. Data collection was hampered by difficulties related to the availability and cooperation of some participants, as well as logistical constraints; however, a sufficient number of questionnaires were collected to allow for analysis of the results. In conclusion, probiotics play an important role in pharmacy practice, and pharmacists play a key role in ensuring their proper use. Strengthening continuing education appears necessary to improve the quality of pharmaceutical counseling and optimize the use of probiotics in pharmacies.