Abstract

DOPING AWARENESS, AND KNOWLEDGE AMONG SUDANESE ATHLETES AND SPORTS PLAYERS

Ahmed Mustafa Khidir and Adil Abdelrahman Mahmoud*

ABSTRACT

Background: Doping materials were now a focus of the international community. The adverse effects of doping material necessitate anti-doping activities and regulations. In Sudan, this line is not surveyed before, and no documented data reported. Objectives: To investigate the Knowledge and awareness of Athletes & Sport Community in Sudan on Anti-Doping. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among 60, conveniently selected, Athletes and other Sport Community Population, in Khartoum state.Self -administered questionnaire was the research instrument. Descriptive statistics,T-test and One Way Anova were used. Results: Sixty athletes participated in the study, (85 %) were Males, and 15% were females. 88% of them participated in competitions. Above 70% of the respondents recordedawareness about banned substances, and 60% knew about World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA); 58% were not educated about doping tests; 75% were not checked for doping before, and those who were checked,did the test inside the country. (5%) of the athletes recorded using medicines to improve performances, while (95%) did not use these substances. The total athletes, who gave the correct answers about banned substances, were (23%). Conclusion: Results were conflicting between awareness in some points, and lack of knowledge in other points, as testing procedures, and banned substances names. Deeper knowledge, about regulations and prohibited substances, is required. Programs for education should start earlier in schools, and further in colleges. Coaches and teacher trainees, and health professionals should be educated about doping.

Keywords: Anti-doping, sports, Sudan.