Assessment of knowledge, perception, attitude, and use of performance-enhancing substances among students of Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt: a pilot study

Abstract

Background The market for performance enhancement substances (PESs) is currently one of the fastest expanding sectors. Most studies have always concentrated on athletes in terms of PESs’ misuse, ignoring a critical segment of the community: the future health-care workers. Thus, the aim of the study was to probe the knowledge, perception, and attitude of medical students regarding the misuse of PESs in sports and medical academic study. A cross-sectional study was conducted among students of Alexandria Faculty of Medicine, Egypt. Data were collected via self-administered electronic survey from 208 students of both sexes (aged from 18 to 26 years old). Analysis of factors affecting the consumption of PESs like gender differences, and their prior knowledge and perception was performed using logistic regression models. Results More than half of the participants have no idea about law concerning the use of doping substances. There were no significant disparities in knowledge and perception between males and females. Female students, on the other hand, consistently reported having a better understanding of the negative impacts of PESs’ misuse. Surprisingly, females are more prone to consume PESs for cognitive enhancement rather than the physical performance. Conclusions The study is the first to explore the awareness of the medical students, their attitude, and perception towards different ethical scenarios confronted in the daily practice. This finding pinpoints that the common trend of striving for fitness and an ideal body shape and weight has produced a shift in the prevalence of the PESs use according to gender in Egypt. Moreover, females in medicine academics are more prone to use PESs to improve the cognitive functions albeit it is nonsignificant statistically. Therefore, efforts should be directed to raise the awareness of medical practitioners of diverse categories of these substances, health hazards, laws, and penalties. More importantly, policy measures for their production, marketing, and misuse among university students should be reconsidered by the government.

Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitudes towards Doping among Biochemistry University Students

“…Similar to this result, a study conducted in Kenya on the students of physical education and sports sciences also indicated that due to higher desire of increasing sports performance during competition, students were eager to use these prohibited substances (Rintaugu & Mwangi, 2021). Another study conducted on medical students of Egyptian university also stated that the impulsive attitude of students to win a competition at any cost was one the reasons of their positive attitude towards the use of banned substances (Badr el Dine & Attia, 2022). This attitude emphasizes the significance of promoting fair play among the overall population.…”

“…The medical literature has frequently documented instances of steroid use among adolescents (Boyack et al, 2005) The prevalence of energy drink consumption has increased significantly, particularly among adolescents. This age range is specifically targeted as younger people tend to be more attuned to global trends (Badr el Dine & Attia, 2022).…”

“…Energy drinks are crafted to be more than regular espresso. They are infused with a dynamic blend of taurine, potent herbal extracts and essential minerals that provide a stimulating effect on both mind and body (Badr el Dine & Attia, 2022).…”