"I would never go to the doctor and speak about steroids": Anabolic androgenic steroids, stigma and harm.
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| Title: | "I would never go to the doctor and speak about steroids": Anabolic androgenic steroids, stigma and harm. |
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| Authors: | Cox, Luke (AUTHOR), Piatkowski, Timothy (AUTHOR), McVeigh, Jim (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy. Oct2025, Vol. 32 Issue 5, p403-415. 13p. |
| Subjects: | Androgens, Health services accessibility, Health literacy, Consumer attitudes, Anabolic steroids, Interviewing, Primary health care, Psychology of drug abusers, Harm reduction, Syringes, Ethics committees, Public health, Hypodermic needles, Social stigma, Ergogenic aids, Drugs of abuse |
| Abstract: | Background: This investigation explores the concept of stigma related to people who use anabolic-androgenic steroids (PWU-AAS) when accessing healthcare services. Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are used by subsections of the population and have been associated with various health harms. Responding to associated health risks, within the UK, harm reduction and healthcare service provisions have been established. Although these services provide essential support, various barriers, including stigma, exist which can limit engagement with them. Method: Ten qualitative interviews were conducted with PWU-AAS and have accessed healthcare and harm reduction services related to their use of AAS. Results: PWU-AAS anticipated stigma: (1) when accessing needle and syringe programs; (2) when seeking support from healthcare professionals; and (3) when experiencing specific adverse health implications. Stigma meant PWU-AAS were less likely to engage with healthcare professionals, attend harm reduction services, and were reluctant to disclose specific medial conditions. Conclusions: Interventions and messaging tackling AAS-related stigma ought to be considered for public-facing health and harm reduction services, to better support the needs and requirements of PWU-AAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Background: This investigation explores the concept of stigma related to people who use anabolic-androgenic steroids (PWU-AAS) when accessing healthcare services. Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are used by subsections of the population and have been associated with various health harms. Responding to associated health risks, within the UK, harm reduction and healthcare service provisions have been established. Although these services provide essential support, various barriers, including stigma, exist which can limit engagement with them. Method: Ten qualitative interviews were conducted with PWU-AAS and have accessed healthcare and harm reduction services related to their use of AAS. Results: PWU-AAS anticipated stigma: (1) when accessing needle and syringe programs; (2) when seeking support from healthcare professionals; and (3) when experiencing specific adverse health implications. Stigma meant PWU-AAS were less likely to engage with healthcare professionals, attend harm reduction services, and were reluctant to disclose specific medial conditions. Conclusions: Interventions and messaging tackling AAS-related stigma ought to be considered for public-facing health and harm reduction services, to better support the needs and requirements of PWU-AAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 09687637 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/09687637.2024.2373056 |
