Knowledge, Attitude, and Behaviour Regarding Doping in Sports Among Physicians and Pharmacists: a Questionnaire-Based Study

Abstract

Doping is a very commonly reported issue among athletes. The World Anti-Doping Code (WADC), published by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has laid down the guideline to be followed in order to avoid anti-doping rule violation (ADRV). To explore the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of the physicians and pharmacists in relation to doping in sports. In this cross-sectional prospective questionnaire-based study the participants (after obtaining consent) were asked to fill in an electronically sent (online) questionnaire anonymously. Out of 159 participants, the majority (47.2% and 73.6%) had knowledge of past cases of doping and knew the word “doping” (p=0.026). 56.10% of the male participants and 28.8% of the female participants opined that they have knowledge of past cases of doping (p = 0.002). Most respondents (57.2%) knew that over the counter medicines and dietary supplements might contain prohibited substances and 49.1% participants were aware that the name of prohibited substances might not appear on ingredients label (p=0.038). There was a significant difference in the physicians’ and pharmacists’ responses toward who should be mainly as advisor of dietary supplements (p˂0.001). Despite small number of participants, our study has underlined the need for conducting awareness program at regular intervals regarding doping among the physicians and pharmacists in our country. However, more studies on this topic with larger sample size are required to actually gauge the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of the physicians and pharmacists in this regard.