The International Microbiota Observatory: what is it? Welcome to the results page
Promoting the importance of the microbiota for all.
True to its original mission, in 2023 the Biocodex Microbiota Institute, with the help of Ipsos, launched the largest survey ever carried out on the knowledge, behavior and perceptions of the world's populations on the subject of the human microbiota: the International Microbiota Observatory.
The aim of this international study is to raise awareness among the general public and healthcare professionals of the importance of their microbiota for their health.
A veritable barometer of people's knowledge and behavior around the world, the International Microbiota Observatory scrutinizes population trends in each of the 11 countries surveyed, year after year.
In 2024, the survey shows a slight increase in microbiota-related knowledge and behaviors to maintain a balanced microbiota. What's more, people are becoming more aware of microbiota through their healthcare professionals. An encouraging trend that once again highlights the key role played by healthcare professionals in educating their patients.
What do people know about microbiota and how do they behave?
2024 edition
Discover the results
“This second edition shows once again that patients who receive information from healthcare professionals have a healthier approach to their microbiota. What’s more, it triggers virtuous behavioral cycles. So we need to give healthcare professionals more support to fully integrate the microbiota into the patient care pathway.”
Archives of previous editions of the International Microbiota Observatory
2023 archive
Discover the resultsSince 2024, the International Microbiota Observatory has been supported by a scientific committee
In 2024, a multidisciplinary international scientific committee was set up to:
- oversee the 2024 survey’s editorial process (made by Ipsos)
- give a critical analysis about the 2024’s survey & results in his field (gastroenterology, gynecology, diet…) in a scientific article, interview or other publication that could be shared on the Institute’s website and available in 7 languages
- promote and support the International Microbiota Observatory’s roll out on a national level among colleagues, physicians, patients, medical societies…
This scientific committee is made up of:
Hanna Stolińska-Fiedorowicz, PhD
Poland
Clinical dietician, lecturer, graduated from the Medical University of Warsaw.
She worked at the Institute of Food and Nutrition for 7 years.
Check her Linkedin profile here.
Joël Doré, PhD
France
Research Director at INRA & Scientific Director of the MetaGenoPolis.
Check his Linkedin profile here.
Purna C. Kashyap, M.B.B.S.
USA
Gastroenterologist, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
Check his Linkedin profile here.
Jean-Marc Bohbot, MD, PhD
France
Andrologist, infectious disease specialist, Institut Alfred Fournier.
Check his Linkedin profile here.
The International Microbiota Observatory is backed up by a rigorous methodology
This second edition of the International Microbiota Observatory was carried out by Ipsos among 7,500 people in 11 countries (France, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Finland, Morocco, USA, Brazil, Mexico, China and Vietnam). Four new countries have been included in this 2nd edition: Poland, Finland, Morocco and Vietnam.
The survey was conducted over the Internet from January 26 to February 26, 2024. In each country, the sample surveyed is representative of the country's population aged 18 and over in terms of:
- gender
- age
- profession
- region
Representativeness was ensured by the quota method, the most used sampling plan for obtaining a representative sample of the population studied. Within each country, the quota variables were gender, age, region and socio-professional category. The data were adjusted:
- within each country to ensure that each population was once again representative
- globally to ensure that each country represented the same weight. Statistical analyses were carried out using Cosi software (M.L.I., France, 1994), with a significance level of 95%
The survey population was 48% men, 52% women. The average age was 46.1. The sample of 7,500 individuals enables a detailed analysis by age group:
- 18-24
- 25-34
- 35-44
- 45-59
- 60 and over
The changes measured from one year to the next were calculated on a like-for-like basis, i.e. taking into account only those countries that were included in both the 1st and 2nd editions of the survey. While we do have results for the new countries included in this new survey (Poland, Finland, Morocco and Vietnam), they were not considered when calculating trends, as they were not present in the 1st edition of the survey.
The 27-question questionnaire includes:
- socio-demographic data
- assessment of knowledge of microbiota
- level and desire for information from healthcare professionals
- identification and adoption of behaviors designed to combat microbiota imbalances
- women's level of knowledge, information and behaviors regarding the vaginal microbiota
- health data
"Biocodex Microbiota Institute thanks for sharing this great observatory. Consumer education on microbiome must be on the top priorities if we want to make a healthier microbiome a reality for all! You are doing a great job!" - Dr. Amine ZORGANI (From Biocodex Microbiota Institute on LinkedIn)
"Biocodex Microbiota Institute great content and vision!" - Dr. Amine ZORGANI (From Biocodex Microbiota Institute on LinkedIn)
"Interesting !" - Véronique Molénat (From Biocodex Microbiota Institute on LinkedIn)
