Abstract des Autors

The knowledge and attitudes of potential consumers and suppliers in South Africa regarding the use of anabolic steroids (AS) in sport, as well as the extent of their use and sources thereof were probed by means of an anonymous questionnaire completed by 209 senior pupils (from three rural and three suburban high schools in the Cape and Transvaal), 27 adults in five gymnasia, 67 medical students and 9 physicians. Only the latter group and participants in power sport events had reasonable factual knowledge, whereas pupils, aerobic sports persons and medical students fared considerably worse. The 14 individuals using AS all exercised in power sport gymnasia and included four male pupils from the same school. Only 8% of participants believed this practice to be fair, whereas 20% expressed a willingness to use AS should it enhance their sport prowess. AS were supplied by friends (64%), including certain physicians (14%), pharmacists (21%) and the black market (21%). Strategies to discourage the use of these potentially harmful products by the selective approach of each specific target group are proposed. Verf.-Referat