The Prevalence of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids Abuse, Knowledge and Attitue of Their Side Effects, and Attitude toward Them among the Bodybuilding Athletes in Rasht

Anabolic-androgenic steroids abuse is one of the major problems in many kinds of sports, specially bodybuilding and power lifting. Common and sometimes life-threatening complications of these drugs have always been important among athletes. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of anabolic-androgenic steroids abuse, Knowledge and Attitue of users among the bodybuilding athletes in Rasht, northern Iran. The present study is a descriptive one. Target population included all male bodybuilding athletes in Rasht. The measuring instruments were self–reported questionnaires AAS, including 19 questions (five questions on background information, 9 questions related to knowledge, and four questions related to attitudes and three questions related to the prevalence of abuse) (Cronbach Alpha 0.87) which were distributed among 223 male bodybuilding athletes in Rasht. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics) Spearman correlation coefficient test, t-test (was used for data analysis. The results of data analyses indicate that anabolic-androgenic Steroids are used currently by 67% of the athletes. There was a significant relationship between the prevalence anabolic -androgenic steroids abuse and a history of bodybuilding championship records. (p<0.05). Also, there was a significant relationship between prevalence of anabolic - androgenetic steroids abuse– and attitude and awareness (P <0.05(. The results of this study showed overuse of such drugs among the young athletes and their lack of awareness of the respective adverse effects. Therefore, prevention programs and education about the adverse effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids are highly recommended.