Measuring the Perceptions of Pharmacy Students of Doping Prevention: Case Study of a Pakistani Universities

Abstract

Doping in sports has become a serious problem throughout the globe, which poses a threat to athlete’s physical and moral health. Providing sportspersons awareness of negative health consequences and counseling services to dopers can help eradicate doping in sports. Since Pharmacists are professionals who study medicine need to possess adequate knowledge, positive attitude, and motivation to play their role to contribute doping prevention. This study assessed the perceptions regarding knowledge, attitude, and role of pharmacy students of Pakistani universities. Three hundred and one students of doctor of pharmacy participated in the survey. Descriptive statistics were employed to calculate the frequency and percentages of responses using SPSS version 22.0. Results showed that majority of the students were unaware of the legal status of the main substances. A significant majority knew that players use doping drugs to improve sports performance and build muscles. Approximately one-fourth of participants had a negative attitude towards doping. These findings suggest that contents or courses related to banned or permitted substances, doping and ethics, health, and doping drugs should be introduced in the doctor of pharmacy programs in universities of Pakistan. Particularly, the curriculum wing Higher Education Commission of Pakistan can actively play its role by suggesting doping courses in Pakistani universities. This may help reduce doping use in Pakistan that leads to promoting fair play and good health of athletes.