DOPING AMONG HIGH-SCHOOL-STUDENTS IN UPPSALA, SWEDEN - A PRESENTATIONOF THE ATTITUDES, DISTRIBUTION, SIDE-EFFECTS, AND EXTENT OF USE

The aim of this study was to determine the extent of doping drug use a mong adolescents in Uppsala, Sweden, and to analyse the main reasons f or the use. An anonymous multiple-choice questionnaire was distributed among pupils in the first and the third grades at high school; 2,742 pupils participated in the study. The results showed that 2.7% of the male and 0.4% of the female adolescents had used doping drugs at some time in their life. However, knowledge of how to get doping drugs far exceeded use. The main reasons for using doping drugs were to improve appearance and to enhance performance in sports. Some boys self-report ed side effects of AAS. Despite the still predominantly negative attit ude toward doping prevention programs have to be taken.