Abstract:
Background: The intake of anabolic -androgenic steroids (AASs) and nutritional supplements as ergogenic aids
has been increasing among young men in Benghazi, Libya. Objectives: To assess the use of AASs and
nutritional supplements by undergraduate male students in the faculty of Pharmacy and faculty of Medicine at
the University of Benghazi. Moreover, is to investigate the awareness and knowledge of students regarding the
health consequences ASSs and nutritional supplements intake. Subjects and Methods: A cross sectional study
involved 350 undergraduate male students from both Pharmacy and Medicine the faculty. Self-administered
questionnaires were distributed randomly during the period of the study which was conducted from January to
May 2019. Results: 31% of the students used AASs and/or nutritional supplements. Out of the 31 %, 53% used
protein supplements, 24% used AASs, 9% used both protein and AASs and 14% used other nutritional
supplements. Only 8% of the students who used AASs and/or nutritional supplements had experienced some
adverse effects. Increased blood pressure was the most prevalent adverse effects among those students (36%).
However, 65% of students reported no awareness about health risks of the ergogenic substances presented at the
marketing points. Conclusions: The use of AASs and nutritional supplements by undergraduate students was
without any awareness about the possible health consequences. Hence, an awareness and guidance should be
provided by health care professionals providing ergogenic substances
