The modes of administration of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users: are non-injecting people who use steroids overlooked?
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| Title: | The modes of administration of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users: are non-injecting people who use steroids overlooked? |
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| Authors: | van de Ven, Katinka (AUTHOR), Zahnow, Renee (AUTHOR), McVeigh, Jim (AUTHOR), Winstock, Adam (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy. Apr2020, Vol. 27 Issue 2, p131-135. 5p. |
| Subjects: | Anabolic steroids, Androgens, Attention, Injections, Medical care, Oral drug administration, Substance abuse, Surveys, Syringes, Harm reduction, Drug abusers |
| Abstract: | Introduction: There is increasing public health concern about the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). Understanding of drug use patterns and practices is important if we are to develop appropriate risk-reduction interventions. Yet, much remains unclear about the modes of administration adopted by AAS users. Methods: We used data from a sub-sample of participants from the Global Drug Survey 2015; males who reported using injectable or oral AAS in their lifetime (n = 1008). Results: Amongst our sample, approximately one third (35.62%) reported using only injectable AAS during their lifetime while 35.84% reported using only oral, with less than one third (28.54%) using both. Conclusion: These findings suggest there may be a sub-population of individuals who only use AAS orally. Needle and syringe programmes (NSPs) are currently the primary point of health service engagement; forming the main healthcare environment for medical and harm reduction advice on steroids. Yet, NSP-based resources are unlikely to reach or be appropriate to those who do not inject AAS. While there is a general need for health services to be more accessible when it comes to AAS use, non-injectors are an overlooked group that require attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Introduction: There is increasing public health concern about the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). Understanding of drug use patterns and practices is important if we are to develop appropriate risk-reduction interventions. Yet, much remains unclear about the modes of administration adopted by AAS users. Methods: We used data from a sub-sample of participants from the Global Drug Survey 2015; males who reported using injectable or oral AAS in their lifetime (n = 1008). Results: Amongst our sample, approximately one third (35.62%) reported using only injectable AAS during their lifetime while 35.84% reported using only oral, with less than one third (28.54%) using both. Conclusion: These findings suggest there may be a sub-population of individuals who only use AAS orally. Needle and syringe programmes (NSPs) are currently the primary point of health service engagement; forming the main healthcare environment for medical and harm reduction advice on steroids. Yet, NSP-based resources are unlikely to reach or be appropriate to those who do not inject AAS. While there is a general need for health services to be more accessible when it comes to AAS use, non-injectors are an overlooked group that require attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 09687637 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/09687637.2019.1608910 |
