Performance-enhancing drugs attitudes among young amateur Croatian athletes

Abstract Background Recent studies revealed that amateur athletes, especially young ones, have an increasing tendency of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) usage. The aim of this study was to explore PEDs attitudes among young, amateur Croatian athletes. Methods This cross-sectional questionnaire study was done in convenient sample of young amateur Croatian athletes during the August 2019 to January 2020 at the occupational and sports medicine office in Eastern Croatia. Performance Enhancement Attitudes Scale (PEAS) was used for evaluation of athletes' attitudes towards doping. Results There were 306 athletes median age 18.0 (interquartile range (IR) 15.0 - 21.0) years; 62.7% females and 37.3% males. According to the age there were 52.9% of adolescents (aged 13 to 18 years) and 47.1% of young adults (aged 19 to 24 years). Regarding the type of sport there were 19.6% of subjects who played individual sports and 80.4% of them who played team sports. Considering the length of sport engagement 49.7% of subjects were engaged in their sport for 1 to 5 years and 50.3% of them were engaged in their sport for 6 or more years. The prevalence of current PEDs usage was 1.3%, while past PEDs usage prevalence was 3.3%. Current PEDs usage was more frequent among young adults (P = 0.048) and athletes playing individual sports (P = 0.001). Athletes who were engaged in sports for 1 to 5 years had more permissive attitudes toward PEDs (P &amp;lt; 0.001) as measured by the PEAS. The study did not establish any correlation between current or past PEDs usage and attitudes toward PEDs. Conclusions PEDs usage is present among young Croatian amateur athletes. There is a need for interventions directed toward the prevention of PEDs usage in an observed subgroup of athletes. Key messages In order to be more effective doping prevention strategies should take into account athletes’ attitudes towards doping. Public awareness and knowledge about doping in sports should be increased in order to achieve more efficient anti-doping programs. </jats:sec

Croatian blood collection system amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background Croatian blood collection system is based on voluntary donation, according to the recommendations of the World Health Organisation and the Council of Europe. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has influenced all the dimensions of human lives and the functional pattern of the health care systems in the whole world. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on Croatian blood collection system and to evaluate the main factors that influence voluntary blood donation practice in blood donors (BDs). Methods This cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted in convenient sample of voluntary BDs from Split-Dalmatia County during the May 2020 to December 2020. Results The study sample consisted of 479 regular BDs, 88.5% males and 11.5% females, mean age 39.8±10.8 years. Majority of them had high school education and living with the partner (67.4% and 74.5%, respectively). During COVID-19 pandemic 71.0% of them continued with regular donations while 29% of them postponed their donation. According to the BDs knowledge regarding COVID-19 infection there were 88.9% of those with unsatisfactory and only 11.1% of those with satisfactory knowledge regarding this infection. The study revealed that females, BDs living alone and younger BDs (aged 18 to 43 years) had more frequently postponed blood donation during COVID-19 pandemic (P &amp;lt; 0.0001, P = 0.004 and P = 0.017, respectively). The study further showed that there was no correlation between BDs knowledge about COVID-19 infection and their blood donation practice during ongoing pandemic. Conclusions The study revealed that ongoing COVID-19 pandemic impacted the Croatian blood collection system via reduction in the practice of voluntary blood donations. Sociodemographic characteristics of BDs were the main factors that influence Croatian BDs voluntary blood donation practice during pandemic while their knowledge about COVID-19 infection was not correlated with their behaviour. Key messages The sustainability of the health care system during a pandemic depends significantly on the blood supply, which is why it is necessary to ensure that blood collection system is continually maintained. The knowledge of blood donors about COVID-19 infection needs to be improved in order to prevent spreading of the infection generally and especially within this highly important population subgroup. </jats:sec