Influence Of Probiotics On Gut Health And Immune Function Of Staff’s Children, Kwara State University, Malete

Abstract

It has been established that children under the age of 5 years globally experience a high burden of gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections, usually leading to morbidity, mortality among others. To curb this, researcher investigated the influence of probiotics on gut health and immune function of staff’s children, Kwara State University, Malete. Descriptive research design was used. Purposive sampling technique was used to selected 220 female staff. Questionnaire on Probiotic on Gut Health of Children (QPGHC) and Questionnaire on Probiotic on Immune Function of Children (QPIFC) were used. The reliability co-efficient of the instruments were obtained at 0.74 and 0.71. PPMC was used to analysed the research questions raised While Linear Regression was used to test the research hypotheses at a significance level of 0.05. It was found among others that probiotic significantly influenced gut health of children (F (1,219) = 18798.432, P < 0.05), and probiotic significantly influenced immune function of children (F (1,219) = 11580.933, P < 0.05). It was concluded that the influence probiotics have on both gut health and immune function of the children are indispensable. It was recommended among others that parent should use probiotics that are specifically formulated for children. Wordcount: 196 Keywords: Probiotic, Gut health, Immune function