1. Doping knowledge, attitude, and experience of pharmacists in Kenya.
- Author
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Rotich, J., Rintaugu, E., and Thangu, E.
- Abstract
• Doping attitude, doping experience, pharmacist's doping knowledge. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) expects any individual caring for athletes to adhere to anti-doping policies, standards, and regulations. Therefore, pharmacists caring for athletes should demonstrate reliable knowledge of doping and anti-doping that aligns with the required WADA standards for individuals working with athletes, commonly referred to as athlete support personnel. In line with this expectation, the present study aimed to investigate Pharmacists doping knowledge, attitude, and experience in Kenya. The study used a cross-sectional analytical study design and self-reported questionnaires where active and registered pharmacists by Kenya Pharmacists & Poisons Board (KPPB) from 7 out of 47 counties in Kenya were selected. 365 of 507 pharmacists completed the study questionnaires. More than half, 54.9% (n = 200) pharmacists self-reported to have slightly above average doping knowledge. Participants had varying understandings of doping. For instance, they self-reported having a low familiarity with the world anti-doping code and anti-doping rule violations but a good knowledge of PEDs and side effects of prohibited substances such as anabolic agents and methods such as erythropoietin. TV/Radio and the internet were pharmacists' primary sources of doping learning. Overall, pharmacists displayed a negative doping attitude. Though work experience had no significant influence on pharmacists doping attitude, H (4) = 8.924, p =.063, pharmacists with less work experience showed a weak negative attitude. As many pharmacists as 27.4% (n = 100) were approached for doping assistance within 12 months. The commonly sought doping information was for drugs to aid recovery 60.2% (n = 59) and side effects of PEDs 38.8% (n = 38). Steroids and peptide hormones were the most requested PEDs by pharmacists. Money, weak sanctions, and ignorance about doping were primary contributors to pharmacists assisting athletes in doping. Pharmacists' doping knowledge in Kenya is inconsistent, and Kenya healthcare practitioners' associations such as KPPB should undertake to support members in anti-doping knowledge by adopting the FIP guidelines and introducing free and renewable anti-doping certificate courses to ensure healthcare practitioners, especially those working with athletes conforms with WADA standards regarding doping knowledge. Pharmacists get most doping information from TV/Radio and the internet, which implies that there is need for ADAK to optimize the opportunity and provide customized, reliable, and updated doping information to healthcare practitioners using these platforms. Future studies should consider using frameworks such as the Social Ecological Model to allow comprehensive interrogation of multiple factors (society, community, personal etc.) affecting pharmacists doping knowledge, attitude, and experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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