RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs), when taken in supraphysiologic doses, increase muscle strength and athletic performance. Evidence suggests that long-term use of AAS in supraphysiologic doses have adverse effects on health. Therefore, the study was conducted to find crude estimate of the prevalence of AAS use among attendees of the gymnasium, the factors that could have influenced them for AAS abuse and to assess the short- and long-term side effects as perceived by them. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected gymnasiums of a smart city of India using a predesigned and pretested questionnaire. Snowball sampling method was undertaken. The study was from July 2015 to June 2016. Informed written consent was taken. The analysis was done using SPSS v. 20.0. RESULTS: Of 84 bodybuilders approached, 74 participants used AAS. All users were male with mean age of 26.5 + 0.55 years. The mean age of initiation of AAS abuse was 23 years, and 66.2% (49) were unmarried. Eighty-five percent (63) preferred injectable. Seventy percent (52) abusers were influenced by trainers for abuse. Most commonly abused was Nandrolone decanoate (55.4%). Seventy-three percent were not aware of any legal ban on steroids. Reported benefits include increased strength, muscle size, and power, while harms were increased acne, deepening of voice, swelling of feet, increased irritability, depressive thoughts, impaired judgment, panic disorder, and withdrawal effect. CONCLUSIONS: Frequency of ASS use was substantial among young bodybuilders. Awareness about side effects was not a deterrent factor. Abusers were highly influenced by coaches. Efforts should be made for preventing easy access to AAS.
RESUMO
CONTEXT: The care of sick members is the hallmark of a civilized society. End-of-life care and social security for elderly are emerging issues nowadays. AIMS: The aim of this study is to explore the desires of the elderly regarding the end-of-life care decisions along with to find out social security measures among the study population. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The cross-sectional study conducted in the geriatric outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study period was 4 months from August to November 2017. The geriatric patients attending geriatric outpatient department were interviewed using a predesigned and pretested questionnaire. Convenient sampling was used and a total of 138 participants were included in the study. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Proportions were used in the study. RESULTS: A total of 63.77% participants expected to die at home surrounded by their family members during their time of death followed by hospital (31.88%). Majority (63.77%) stated their opinions to die a senile death. Organ donation after death was the willingness shown by as high as 70.3%, but registered organ donors were 6.5%. 94.2% participants expected to be cremated after their death while others buried in accord to their religious practices. Only 7.24% of participants had a legal will of their financial establishments. It was observed that even half of the population (47.8%) did not have any form of health or life insurance. CONCLUSION: Home-based care of the elderly is needed so that they can live their last days of life peacefully. Awareness about health and life insurance should be increased by urgent intervention.
