Non-medical anabolic-androgenic steroid consumption and hepatitis B and C virus infection in regular strength training practitioners

The aim of this study is to analyse the use of non-medical anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) among Brazilian regular strength training practitioners and evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among currently AAS injectors. The survey was addressed to 893 adult healthy males and regular strength-training practitioners from Northeast region of Brazil. Self-reported AAS users were additionally subjected to a physical exam, interview and blood sample collection, to analyse the presence of HBV and HCV. The results showed that punctual prevalence of AAS user was estimated in 16.5% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 14.1 to 19.1). The doses of testosterone and/or its derivatives injected in the last cycle ranged from 200 to 7,200 mg, and AAS vials were purchased predominantly from the black-market. The prevalence of HBV was 0.7% (95% CI: 0.5 to 3.3) and HCV was 0.7% (95% CI: 0.5 to 3.3) without co-infection. Hepatitis infection was associated to elementary educational level (2/29; p<0.05) and steroid vials sharing (2/14; p<0.01). In this sense, AAS use are relevant problem among this population and AAS injectors should be informed and not be neglected in efforts to prevent steroid abuse and harm-reduction strategies to reduce blood-borne virus prevalence among drug injectors.62215981605Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia (FAPESB) [PPSUS0006/2007]IC grants from FAPESBFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia (FAPESB) [PPSUS0006/2007

The aetiology and trajectory of anabolic-androgenic steroid use initiation: a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative research

Background: To our knowledge, there has never been a systematic review and synthesis of the qualitative literature on the trajectory and aetiology of nonmedical anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use. Methods: We systematically reviewed and synthesized qualitative literature gathered from searches in PsycINFO, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Google Scholar, and reference lists of relevant literature to investigate AAS users&rsquo; ages of first use and source(s), history prior to use, and motives/drives for initiating use. We adhered to the recommendations of the UK Economic and Social Research Council&rsquo;s qualitative research synthesis manual and the PRISMA guidelines. Results: A total of 44 studies published between 1980 and 2014 were included in the synthesis. Studies originated from 11 countries: the United States (n =18), England (n =8), Australia (n =4), Sweden (n =4), both England and Wales (n =2), and Scotland (n =2). One study each originated from Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Great Britain, and Norway. The majority of AAS users initiated use before age 30. Sports participation (particularly power sports), negative body image, and psychological disorders such as depression preceded initiation of AAS use for most users. Sources of first AAS were mainly users&rsquo; immediate social networks and the illicit market. Enhanced sports performance, appearance, and muscle/strength were the paramount motives for AAS use initiation. Conclusions: Our findings elucidate the significance of psychosocial factors in AAS use initiation. The proliferation of AAS on the illicit market and social networks demands better ways of dealing with the global public health problem of AAS use