Table 2 Correct response rates of microbiome science survey in medical sciences students

Knowledge of microbiome science

 A. The concept of microbiome

73

  1. The term ‘microbiome’ refers to all microorganisms in the human body (yes)

49

  2. The term ‘microbiome’ refers only to the bacterial cells living in the human body (no)

42

  3. There are microorganisms living naturally in the intestinal tract (yes)

98

  4. There are microorganisms living naturally in the respiratory tract (yes)

66

  5. There are microorganisms living naturally on the skin (yes)

95

  6. There are microorganisms living naturally in the vagina (yes)

88

 B. The transfer of microorganisms and links with infection

67

  1. All microorganisms can cause an infection (no)

94

  2. There are microorganisms in breast milk (yes)

57

  3. There are microorganisms present naturally in the food we eat (yes)

83

  4. Mothers can transfer microorganisms to infants during breastfeeding (yes)

79

  5. Mothers can transfer microorganisms to infants during pregnancy (yes)

67

  6. Children exposed to outdoor activities such as farms/gardens get more infections (no)

22

 C. The interaction between the intestinal (gut) microbiome and the rest of the body

47

  1. There is an interaction between the intestinal and the lung microbiome (yes)

25

  2. There is an interaction between the intestinal microbiome and the brain (yes)

38

  3. There is an interaction between the intestinal microbiome and the skin (yes)

35

  4. The intestinal tract contains the highest number of microbial cells compared to the other systems (yes)

76

  5. Microbiome composition is similar for all people (no)

60

Knowledge of impaired microbiota and dysbiosis

 A. The root of dysbiosis

47

  1. Dysbiosis refers to altered microbial diversity in the human body (yes)

38

  2. Changes in the respiratory microbiome are associated with asthma and allergy (yes)

57

  3. Changes in the intestinal microbiome are associated with allergic conditions and inflammatory diseases (yes)

53

  4. Changes in the intestinal microbiome are associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity (yes)

40

 B. What triggers microbial dysbiosis?

59

  1. Microbial dysbiosis can be managed/treated to reduce the risk of allergic disorders (yes)

42

  2. Reduced antibiotic use during infancy/perinatally can lower the chances of dysbiosis (yes)

45

  3. Consumption of antibiotics can alter the human microbiome (yes)

82

  4. Cleaning hands with antimicrobial soap is important to prevent all infections (no)

66

Management of the impaired microbiome

 A. The concept of beneficial bacteria

55

  1. Fermented food is a source of beneficial bacteria (yes)

73

  2. Dairy products are sources of beneficial bacteria (yes)

85

  3. Consumption of “bacterial strain” supplements should be avoided because they might be harmful (no)

30

  4. Probiotics are natural antibiotics (no)

22

  5. Probiotics are a type of vitamin to improve health (no)

47

  6. Probiotics can be used to balance the microbial composition and diversity in the body (yes)

65

  7. Probiotics are live bacteria (yes)

63

 B. Fecal microbiota transplantation

45

  1. Are you familiar with the ‘fecal microbiota transplantation’ procedure (yes)

40

  2. Fecal microorganisms can be transplanted or transferred from a healthy to a sick individual (yes)

49