title: Prevalence of anabolic steroid use and associated factors among body-builders in Hamadan, West province of Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) are abused by a growing number of bodybuilders. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to determine prevalence and patterns of AAS use by bodybuilders in Hamadan, western Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, participants were recruited from five gym clubs in two area of Hamadan (a total of 10 clubs). Twenty-five bodybuilders from each club were administered. Questions investigating demographic information, sport history, education level, general knowledge about AAS, and their side effects were asked. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 16.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of AAS use was 28.8% (72/250). Fifty-four percent of users were 25 years or younger. AAS abuse showed a significant association with duration of exercise. The drugs were suggested mostly from peers (43.1%) and coaches (36.1%). The most commonly consumed anabolic steroid was testosterone (66.7%). The most commonly reported AAS side effect was acne (18.1%). There was not significant association between general knowledge about side effects of ASS and their use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of current survey indicate that frequency of ASS use is high in adolescents and young adult bodybuilders. Well educated bodybuilders have a higher prevalence of abuse. Awareness about the side effects of drugs is not deterrent factor for their abuse. Iranian Ministry of Sport and the Youth, and the National Council for Youth, should be urged to conduct more effective prevention strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Razavi
authors.affiliation: Social Determinants of Health Research Center & Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Babak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moeini
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Yones
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shafiei
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran. hbazmamoun@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bazmamoun
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000728:Androgens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004300:Doping in Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D055070:Resistance Training; D013177:Sports; D013256:Steroids / Q000494:pharmacology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045165:Testosterone Congeners; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000728:Androgens; D013256:Steroids; D045165:Testosterone Congeners; D013739:Testosterone
keywords: Adverse effects; Anabolic agents; Athletes; Steroids