AN ASSESSMENT OF THE USE OF ANABOLIC- ANDROGENIC STEROIDS AND NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN BENGHAZI

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