Journal article 781 views 86 downloads
“I would never go to the doctor and speak about steroids”: Anabolic androgenic steroids, stigma and harm
,
Timothy Piatkowski,
Jim McVeigh
Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, Pages: 1 - 13
Swansea University Author:
Luke Cox
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PDF | Version of Record
© 2024 the author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the creative commons attribution-noncommercial-noDerivatives license ,which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in anyway.
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DOI (Published version): 10.1080/09687637.2024.2373056
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. Respondin...
| Published in: | Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy |
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| ISSN: | 0968-7637 1465-3370 |
| Published: |
Informa UK Limited
2024
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66902 |
| 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. |
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| Keywords: |
Keywords: Anabolic androgenic steroids, image and performance enhancing drugs, stigma, harm reduction, needle and syringe program |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
Swansea University |
| Start Page: |
1 |
| End Page: |
13 |