Prevalence and awareness of anabolic androgenic steroid use among male body builders in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the prevalence and awareness of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use among male bodybuilders visiting gyms in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 500 male bodybuilders visiting gyms in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Information on demographics, as well as the use of AAS, was included in a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of AAS in Jazan was 31.0 % (95 % CI,, and it was higher among those in the [30][31][32][33][34]. Its prevalence was also significantly higher among athletes who received higher education 37. 4% (95 % CI,. The most common types of AAS used are

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: a Scoping Review of Extant Empirical Literature

“…We included published empirical records on AAS from searches in the twenty-one countries located in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The types of records included were survey studies in Saudi Arabia (Al Bishi and Afify 2017; Al Al Nozha and Elshatarat 2017;Alharbi et al 2019;Althobiti et al 2018;Bahri et al 2017;Jabari et al 2016), United Arab Emirates , Kuwait Alsaeed and Alabkal 2015;Khullar et al 2016), Iran (Allahverdipour et al 2012;Angoorani and Halabchi 2015;Asr et al 2018;Bordbar et al 2014;Fijan et al 2018;Haerinejad et al 2016;Jalilian et al 2011;Kargarfard et al 2015;Mohammad 2014;Nakhaee et al 2013;Razavi et al 2014;Rezaei 2017;Saeidinejat et al 2017;Sepehri et al 2009;Sobhanian et al 2013), Iraq Habeeb et al 2012), Lebanon Melki et al 2015), Jordan Wazaify et al 2014), Pakistan Uddin et al 2019;Zafar et al 2018), and Sudan (Khidir and Mahmoud 2018); and conference proceedings from Bahrain ) (see Table 2). Correlational study.…”

“…Sourcing of AAS was not investigated by more than half of the included studies (Al Allahverdipour et al 2012;Al Nozha and Elshatarat 2017;Alsamani et al 2017;Angoorani and Halabchi 2015;Asr et al 2018;Bahri et al 2017;Bordbar et al 2014;Fijan et al 2018;Jabari et al 2016;Jalilian et al 2011: Karfargard et al, 2015Khullar et al 2016;Khidir and Mahmoud 2018;Melki et al 2015;Mohammad 2014;Razavi et al 2014;Rezaie, 2017;Saeidinejat et al 2017;Zafar et al 2018 Allafi et al 2019;Allahverdipour et al 2012;Al Nozha and Elshatarat 2017;Alsaeed and Alabkal 2015;Althobiti et al 2018;Angoorani and Halabchi 2015;Asr et al 2018;Bahri et al 2017;Hitti et al 2014;Hussain et al 2018;Jalilian et al 2011;Kargarfard et al 2015;Mohammad 2014;Razavi et al 2014;Wazaify et al 2014) reported on the types of AAS and associated drugs being used. The most commonly reported injectable were testosterone and nandrolone decanoate, and the most common oral AAS used were methandrostenolone and stanozolol, with the use of growth hormone reported in only four studies.…”

“…The most commonly reported injectable were testosterone and nandrolone decanoate, and the most common oral AAS used were methandrostenolone and stanozolol, with the use of growth hormone reported in only four studies. Routes of administration (ROA) were reported in less than half of the studies (Al Bishi and Afify 2017; Allafi et al 2019;Alsaeed and Alabkal 2015;Bahri et al 2017;Habeeb et al 2012;Hitti et al 2014;Hussain et al 2018;Khullar et al 2016;Razavi et al 2014;Wazaify et al 2014;Zafar et al 2018) highlighting injecting as the predominant choice of ROA amongst users. Sobhanian et al (2013) did not elaborate on the predominant route but reported both oral and injecting routes of administration.…”

“…Duration of AAS use was only reported in a small number of articles (Al Bishi and Afify 2017; Alsamani et al 2017;Asr et al 2018;Bahri et al 2017;Sobhanian et al 2013) and ranged from less than 1 month to more than 5 years. One study in Saudi Arabia reported that 69.7% of AAS user participants simply had no knowledge of their duration of AAS use .…”

“…Thirteen studies in United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Sudan and Iran did not report on the reasons for AAS use Alharbi et al 2019;Allafi et al 2019;Al Nozha and Elshatarat 2017;Alsaeed and Alabkal 2015;Angoorani and Halabchi 2015;Althobiti et al 2018;Bahri et al 2017;Bordbar et al 2014;Jalilian et al 2011;Kargarfard et al 2015;Khidir and Mahmoud 2018;Razavi et al 2014). Reasons for use of AAS were largely stated as being to improve image, appearance, and overall physique; to increase muscle mass and improve strength and power; achieve 'attractiveness'; to improve athletic performance; to increase chances of winning bodybuilding competitions; to increase self-confidence and social recognition; and due to advice or recommendation from friends, trainers, and physicians.…”