Awareness and perception of fecal microbiota transplantation in Lebanon: a cross-sectional survey among the general population, healthcare workers, physicians, and patients.

Background: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective treatment for recurrent Objectives: To evaluate awareness, perceptions, willingness, and acceptance of FMT among the Lebanese population. Design: A nationwide cross-sectional survey with nonprobability sampling was conducted between April and November 2024. Methods: A total of 725 participants were recruited through mixed sampling across Lebanon's governorates: 379 from the general population, 109 healthcare workers, 155 physicians, and 82 IBD or CDI patients. A structured bilingual questionnaire assessed awareness, perceptions, treatment preferences, and willingness to disclose or undergo FMT. Analyses included Chi-square tests, logistic regression, and false discovery rate-adjusted comparisons. Results: Overall, 31% of participants had prior awareness of FMT, while 60.1% reported positive perception. Awareness and perception were significantly associated ( Conclusion: FMT awareness in Lebanon remains limited, particularly among patients and the public. Although perceptions are generally positive, misconceptions, stigma, and unrealistic expectations persist. These findings stem from a nonprobability sample that overrepresents younger, female, and highly educated participants and is not nationally representative. Targeted education, stronger physician-patient communication, and culturally sensitive approaches are needed to promote FMT acceptance and integration into practice.