NCJ Number
216882
Journal
Substance Use & Misuse: An International Interdisciplinary Forum Volume: 41 Issue: 13 Dated: 2006 Pages: 1705-1717
Date Published
2006
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the prevalence and the factors related to life-time and current anabolic steroid use among a sample of youths in Norway.
Abstract
Results indicated that the life-time prevalence rate for anabolic steroid use was 3.6 percent for males and 0.6 percent for females, which was consistent with previous findings that found anabolic steroid use is significantly more prevalent among males than females. Moreover, approximately one fourth of the participants had at least one acquaintance that used or had used anabolic steroids. Other findings revealed that anabolic steroid use was associated with the use of other types of drugs and might be part of a general pattern of drug use and risk-taking behavior among youths. Anabolic steroid use was also positively associated with depressive symptoms. Participants were 1,351 high school students in grades 11 through 13 in Hordaland County, Western Norway. Participants completed online surveys during school hours that measured drug and anabolic steroid use, alcohol use disorders, hospital anxiety, depression, and demographic characteristics. Data were analyzed using STATA and included univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Future research should focus on the effectiveness of anabolic steroid prevention programs. Tables, glossary, references