Androgenic Anabolic Steroids Use in Pakistan From the Perspective of Bodybuilders

To determine the prevalence of androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) use among bodybuilders in different cities of Pakistan.

This cross-sectional study recruited 380 bodybuilders utilizing convenience sampling from different cities of Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Quetta, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad. The study was conducted over a period of 6 months from January 2019 to June 2019. The sample included male bodybuilders aged 18 to 50 years. The basic demographic sheet and a self-designed form were used to collect data. SPSS software v. 21 was utilized for statistical analysis. The chi-square test was used to observe any relationship with P<0.05 as significant.

The current study showed a prevalence of 109 (28.68%) AAS use in bodybuilders with testosterone being most commonly used. A total of 54 people (49.5%) used self-administration, 38 people (34.9%) used it for the short-term while 27 people (24.8%) used it in long-term. Bodybuilders were mostly inspired by peers 73 (67%) and encouraged by coaches 62 (56.9%) to use AAS. Regarding knowledge of AAS, its usage, benefits, and side effects, the majority (89%) had little or no knowledge.

The study concludes that the use of AAS is quite prevalent among bodybuilders in Pakistan with 28.68% of AAS mainly using testosterone preparation, and bodybuilders of age 20 to 40 mainly consuming AAS. Peers were the main inspiration for most (67%) and encouraged by their coaches to use AAS (56.9%).