PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Alrehaili, Bandar D.
AU  - Miski, Samar F.
AU  - Alzahrani, Fahad M.
TI  - Assessing the prevalence and knowledge of anabolic steroid use in male athletes in Al Madina Al Munawara, Saudi Arabia
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2024.45.7.20240244
DP  - 2024 Jul 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 731--740
VI  - 45
IP  - 7
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/45/7/731.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/45/7/731.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2024 Jul 01; 45
AB  - Objectives: To assess the prevalence of anabolic steroid use and the level of knowledge on anabolic steroids among the male athletes in Al Madina Al Munawara, Saudi Arabia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on male athletes randomly selected from the private athletic centers in Al Madina Al Munawara over 5 months. Data were collected from all participants using a self-administered anonymous questionnaire with 33 questions. The questionnaire covered the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, and their knowledge, attitudes, and use of anabolic steroids.Results: Of the 150 male athletes surveyed, 121 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 80.6%). Over half were aged between 18 and 23 years (56.2%) and were single (79.3%). Thirty-two percent reported using anabolic steroids, mainly to increase muscle mass, following coaches’ advice (46.1%). Key sources included the internet (30.7%), coaches (30%), and friends (27.9%), and non-healthcare professionals. The top motivations were price, coach’s/physician’s advice, and availability. The perceived benefits included increased muscle mass, strength, and endurance, while the perceived adverse effects included kidney/liver damage and sexual problems.Conclusion: One-third of the male athletes surveyed used anabolic steroids, influenced by accessibility and social contact, rather than healthcare guidance. This highlights the need for greater awareness of the long-term health risks, ideally through education provided by sports medicine specialists.