Table 3.
Gym user knowledge and awareness of negative health consequences of using performance enhancing agents (PEAs).
| Using testosterone hormone on males may lead to the following negative health consequences: | Agree or strongly agree n (%) | Neither agree or nor disagree n (%) | Disagree or strongly disagree n (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
| |||
| Acne | 172 (54.4) | 113 (35.8) | 31 (9.8) |
| Male pattern baldness | 161 (50.9) | 113 (35.8) | 42 (13.3) |
| Liver Damage | 174 (55.0) | 106 (33.5) | 36 (11.4) |
| Stunted growth and disruption of puberty | 167 (52.8) | 99 (31.3) | 50 (15.8) |
| Increased aggressiveness and sexual appetite | 181 (57.2) | 82 (25.9) | 53 (16.8) |
| Depression | 162 (51.3) | 100 (31.6) | 54 (17.1) |
| Breast tissue development | 164 (51.3) | 95 (30.1) | 59 (18.7) |
| Shrinking of the testicles | 188 (59.5) | 93 (29.4) | 35 (11.1) |
| Impotence | 200 (63.3) | 67 (21.2) | 49 (15.5) |
| Reduction in sperm production | 187 (59.1) | 75 (23.7) | 54 (17.1) |
| Using diuretics by gym users may lead to the following negative health consequences: | |||
| Dehydration | 193 (61.1) | 106 (33.5) | 17 (5.4) |
| Muscle cramps | 173 (51.2) | 120 (38.0) | 34 (10.7) |
| Dizziness or fainting | 168(53.2) | 120 (38.0) | 28 (8.8) |
| Drop in blood pressure | 171 (54.1) | 121 (38.3) | 24 (7.6) |
| Loss of coordination and balance | 155 (49.0) | 127 (40.2) | 34 (10.7) |
| Using human growth hormone may lead to the following negative health consequences: | |||
| Severe headaches | 113 (37.2) | 159 (52.3) | 32 (10.5) |
| Loss of vision | 96 (31.1) | 159 (50.5) | 54 (17.5) |
| Acromegaly (Protruding or enlarged jaw, brow, skull, hands and feet) | 182 (58.3) | 102 (32.7) | 28 (8.9) |
| High blood pressure and heart failure | 175 (56.5) | 110 (35.5) | 25 (8.0) |
| Diabetes and tumors | 145 (46.5) | 131 (42.0) | 36 (11.5) |
| Crippling arthritis | 125 (40.5) | 143 (46.3) | 41 (13.3) |
| Using Insulin may lead to: | |||
| Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) | 203 (64.3) | 105 (33.2) | 8 (2.6) |
| Using protein powder supplements may lead to the following negative health consequences: | |||
| Imbalanced nutrition | 138 (43.7) | 41 (13.0) | 137 (43.4) |
| Digestive problems | 156 (49.4) | 34 (10.8) | 126 (39.8) |
| Weight gain | 205 (64.8) | 24 (7.6) | 84 (26.6) |
| Heart and kidneys disorders | 156 (49.3) | 45 (14.2) | 115 (36.4) |
|
| |||
| Using stimulants (e.g., energy drinks) may lead to the following negative health consequences: | Agree or strongly agree n (%) | Neither agree or nor disagree n (%) | Disagree or strongly disagree n (%) |
|
| |||
| Insomnia | 253 (80.0) | 42 (13.3) | 21 (6.7) |
| Anxiety | 244 (77.2) | 39 (12.3) | 33 (10.4) |
| Weight loss | 176 (55.7) | 77 (24.4) | 63 (20.0) |
| Dependence and addiction | 191 (60.5) | 48 (15.2) | 77 (24.4) |
| Dehydration | 166 (52.5) | 75 (23.7) | 75 (23.8) |
| Tremors | 151 (47.8) | 103 (32.6) | 62 (19.6) |
| Increased heart rate and blood pressure | 250 (79.1) | 42(13.3) | 24 (7.6) |
| Increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and cardiac arrhythmia | 210 (66.5) | 72 (22.8) | 34 (10.7) |