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ERIC Number: EJ1189623
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0968-7637
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
"No Pain, No Gainz"? Performance and Image-Enhancing Drugs, Health Effects and Information Seeking
Rowe, Rachel; Berger, Israel; Copeland, Jan
Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy, v24 n5 p400-408 2017
Background: A range of indicators point to an international increase in the prevalence of performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) use, predominantly among young men. Attention to PIEDs-related benefits, adverse health effects, information and health service access are needed. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 605 men who inject PIEDs was conducted at nine primary needle and syringe programme locations across five local health districts in Sydney. Results: Among anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) users (n = 564), anger, rage or irritability (27%, 95%CI: 23.4-30.6) and sexual or genital problems (26.4%, 95%CI: 22.9-30.0) were the most commonly reported adverse health effects. Taking regular, longer breaks between AAS cycles were associated with reduced reports of some adverse effects. Approaching two-thirds of participants had told a doctor about using PIEDs (63.1%, 95%CI: 59.1-67.1). However, as length of time since first injecting PIEDs increased, participants' perceptions of doctors as reliable information sources decreased (rho = -0.10, p = 0.04). Reliance on lay information sources was very common, particularly among people who spoke languages other than English. Conclusions: This study supports providing information on cycle lengths and break periods as part of standard PIEDs-related harm reduction guidelines. Safe injecting and dosage education through peer networks or steroid clinics may be useful strategies.
Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A