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The Misuse of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids Among Iranian Re-Creational Male Body-Builders and Their Related Psycho-Socio-Demographic Factors



Angoorani H1 ; Halabchi F2, 3
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Dept. of Sports and Exercise Medicine, Hazrat Rasool-e-Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Sports Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Dept. of Sports and Exercise Medicine, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Iranian Journal of Public Health Published:2015

Abstract

Background: The high prevalence and potential side effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) misuse by athletes has made it a major public health concern. Epidemiological studies on the abuse of such drugs are mandatory for de-veloping effective preventive drug control programs in sports community. This study aimed to investigate the preva-lence of AAS abuse and their association with some psycho-socio-demographic factors in Iranian male recreational body-builders. Methods: Between March and October 2011; 906 recreational male body-builders from 103 randomly selected body-building clubs in Tehran, Iran were participated in this study. Some psycho-socio- demographic factors including age, job, average family income, family size, sport experience (months), weekly duration of the sporting activity (h), pur-pose of participation in sporting activity, mental health as well as body image (via General Health Questionnaire and Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, respectively), and history of AAS use were obtained by inter-views using questionnaires. Results: Participants were all recreational male body-builders [mean age (SD): 25.7 (7.1), ranging 14-56 yr]. Self-report of AAS abuse was registered in 150 body-builders (16.6%). Among different psycho-socio-demographic factors, only family income and sport experience were inversely associated with AAS abuse. Conclusion: Lifetime prevalence of AAS abuse is relatively high among recreational body-builders based on their self-report. Some psycho-socio-demographic factors including family income and sport experience may influence the pre-valence of AAS abuse. © 2015, Iranian Journal of Public Health. All rights reserved.
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