Title:
The Use of Anabolic Steroids among Male Athletes at Private Athletic Centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Authors:
Elaf Mahamid, Amal A. Hegazy, Ibrahim Ismail M. Abu, Saudi Arabia

Abstract:

Athletes have worldwide use of performance-enhancing substances like anabolic steroids. Nowadays, in some types of sport not only professional athletes are using this material also adolescent athletes are using it too. Anabolic steroids are drugs that are manufactured chemically using male sex hormones, which are testosterone and other steroids.  The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence, knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding anabolic steroids among male athletes at private athletic centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study conducted on a representative sample (350) of athletes randomly selected from the private male athletic centers of Jeddah – Saudi Arabia, through cluster sampling technique. The data were collected through a self-administered and anonymous questionnaire.
Results: the prevalence of anabolic steroid use among male athletes who attended the private athletic centers in Jeddah was 12.3%. The study reported that 51.2% of anabolic steroid users had incorrect knowledge and 53.5% of them had a negative attitude. The most common predictors among athletes using anabolic steroids are those the site of the gym (north area), athletes with total hours of exercise less than one hour per day, overweight, unemployed, pre-university education, living in the north area, and an obese one.
Conclusion & Recommendation: We conclude that the prevalence was high we and there are lower levels of knowledge and attitude among the participants.  So, we should focus on changing the attitudes towards anabolic steroids and increase the knowledge about it. Besides we should spread and share awareness of their side effects.