Anabolic Steroids Use And Perceived Side Effects Among Gymnasium Attendees In Benha And Shebin Al-kom Cities.

Abstract

Background: Young people strive to achieve optimum body condition in an easy manner using dietary or anabolic steroids supplements without proper knowledge of their adverse effects. Objective: To determine prevalence and factors associated with Androgenic Anabolic Steroids (AAS) use. Method : A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted at six gyms in Benha and Shebin al-kom cities. The total participants were 200. Results : The mean age of the studied population was 23.09 ± 5.13 years. Out of 200 participants, 114 (57%) used anabolic bodybuilding supplements. Seventy-eight (78) out of 114 used nutrient supplements, 14 used AAS and 22 used both nutrients and AAS. There was a significant difference between AAS users and nonusers regarding age (19.22 ± 1.93 vs. 23.88 ± 4.90 respectively; p = <0.001), income (100 % of AAS users had enough or more than enough income vs. 84.6 % of nonusers; p= <0.001). They also significantly differed considering the aim of practice (83.3% of AAS users aimed at bodybuilding vs. 64.1% of nonusers; p = .037). Finally, 30.6% of steroids users were not aware of any side effects of these preparations. Conclusion: The prevalence of AAS use either alone