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TO ASSESS THE EFFECTS OF PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS ON THE HEALTH OF MEDICAL STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Dr Muhammad Saad, Dr Mian Umair Ahmed Arif, Dr Muhammad Usman Zia

Objectives: The aim of the study was to find out the percentage of students from King Edward Medical University that are currently using Performance enhancing drugs, to find out the types of Performance enhancing drugs that are currently being used by the students and to find out the effects of these performance enhancing drugs on the health of the students. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting and Study Period: This study was conducted at King Edward Medical University, Lahore from August, 2018 to July, 2019. Materials and methods: A total of one hundred medical students were anonymously given a 10-item questionnaire. 25 students each from 2nd year, 3rd year, 4th year and 5th year were involved in the study. The team randomly distributed the questionnaire among the students on alternative days. The completed questionnaire was sealed in envelopes and analyzed. Results: The age of the students completing the Performa ranged from 19-25 years. In the male population the highest use of PEDS was observed in the age group of 22 years, while the lowest use of PEDS was observed in the age group of 19 years. The highest percentage of females that used PEDS was observed in the age group of 22 years as well like the male ratio of PEDS use at the high level. The lowest use of PEDS was observed at the age group of 19 and 25 which was 5 % in both age groups. Conclusion: The results indicated that PEDS were used by the male students in a higher percentage as compared to the female students. The Caffeinated energy drinks were used more commonly. The results of this strategic survey have provided for the first-time valuable information about the use of PEDS by students of FMU to achieve desirable effects. It demonstrates that the use of PEDS in the students was high as compared to expected results; especially higher in those male students involved in sports or gym activities specifically bodybuilding athletes. Keywords: Performance enhancing drugs (PEDS), anabolic steroids (AS).