USE OF ANABOLIC STEROIDS IN YOUTH AND ADOLESCENTS: A CHALLENGE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

Abstract

The indiscriminate use of Androgenic Anabolic Steroids (AAS) among adolescents has become a growing challenge for public health. To assess the impact of an educational intervention on knowledge and risk perception concerning anabolic steroid use in elementary school students. This descriptive, quantitative, and cross-sectional study was conducted at a public school in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, ES, Brazil. The intervention consisted of a lecture-based expository-dialogical session, followed by the application of a structured multiple-choice questionnaire answered by 40 students. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that although most students had heard of anabolic steroids, relevant gaps in prior knowledge persisted. After the intervention, a significant reduction was observed in the belief that these substances can be used for muscle gain without a medical prescription (from 22.5% to 5%). There was also greater understanding of clinical indications, increased risk perception, and strengthened autonomy for healthy choices: 87.5% of participants felt more empowered, and 92.5% recognized physical exercise combined with a balanced diet as the most appropriate alternative. It is concluded that the intervention effectively promoted critical knowledge and enhanced risk perception, highlighting the relevance of continuous educational actions in preventing the misuse of anabolic steroids among adolescentes.