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Microbes and us: microbiology literacy in Greece

Hera Karayanni1, Eleni Motsiou2, Vasiliki Sapountzi1

  • 1Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.

FEMS Microbiology Letters
|February 2, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Public perception of microbes is often negative, despite their vital services. This Greek survey revealed most people associate microbes with biology and health, but the concept is less defined in children.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Public Health
  • Social Science

Background:

  • Microorganisms are essential for human and planetary services.
  • Public understanding of microbes' value is uncertain, especially post-COVID-19.
  • Investigating public perception of microbes is crucial for effective science communication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the public's conceptualization of microbes in Greece.
  • To identify common associations and perceptions of microorganisms.
  • To understand age-related differences in microbe perception.

Main Methods:

  • A survey was conducted with 672 anonymous participants (ages 4-75).
  • Thematic analysis was applied to open-ended responses to the prompt: "What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word microbe?"
  • Responses were categorized into five themes: Negative emotions, Fuzzy associations, Biology, Entities, and Health.

Main Results:

  • Nearly 80% of responses fell into the "Biology" and "Health" categories.
  • The general pattern of microbe associations was consistent across all age groups.
  • The concept of "microbe" appeared less defined in younger children (4-11 years old).
  • A predominantly negative perception of microorganisms was observed.

Conclusions:

  • The study confirms a generally negative public perception of microorganisms.
  • While associated with biology and health, the concept of microbes is not fully shaped, particularly in children.
  • Understanding these perceptions is key to developing strategies for improving public understanding and appreciation of microbes.
Keywords:
linguistic choicesmicrobe conceptmicrobiology literacyscience literacythematic analysis

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