Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions on doping among university students in physical education and sport science related degree programmes

Abstract

Doping cases have in the recent past (second decade of 21st century) tainted the Kenyan athletes' dominance in long distance running. The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions (KAP) on doping among university students pursuing sport related courses. It was postulated that KAP on doping will be mediated by year of study, age, gender, sporting experience and degree programme. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires from university students (n=179) drawn from four universities that offer sport-related courses in Kenya. Results revealed that there were significant differences between year of study (first vs fourth) in knowledge on performance enhancing substance (PES) (Mean Ranks; 68.16 vs 94.22, p=.013) and perceptions about doping (109.98 vs 86.14, p=.023). Sport Science and Health Promotion students showed significantly higher scores on attitudes towards doping (p=.003) than those in Physical Education courses. There were significant differences (p < .05) in KAP on doping in favour of those students who had previous participation in sport competitions. It is concluded that KAP of university students on doping is differentiated based on the selected variables of year and programme of study, and previous participation in sport competitions. It is recommended that the unpacking of doping education should take these variables into consideration. Universities need to partner with anti-doping agencies to expose students to both theoretical and practical applications of doping knowledge. Further investigation in needed on the possible factors that contribute to less negative perceptions with higher knowledge on doping among university students.

Athlete Doping Knowledge Analysis: A Case Study of the 20th National Sports Week (PON) Papua 2021 in Indonesia

“…0.0699 > 0.05, there is no difference in knowledge between male and female athletes. This is in line with Elijah et al (2021), who found no differences in knowledge, attitudes, or perceptions of doping between men and women [18]. There are significant differences in athletes' doping knowledge based on their educational degree.…”

“…One of the things that influence knowledge is a person's level of education [19], [20]. Athletes with a lower degree of education have less doping knowledge than athletes with a higher level of education [18].…”

Doping Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices among Young, Amateur Croatian Athletes

“…Unlike the study from Korea, this study did not show statistically significant differences in general attitudes toward PEDs usage between athletes playing individual and team sports [36]. Similar to study in Kenya, this study also did not show differences in athletes' general attitudes toward PEDs usage between young adults and adolescents [44]. Finally, this study established statistically significant difference in athletes' general attitudes toward PEDs regarding the length of sport engagement, where athletes who were engaged in sports for one to five years had more permissive attitudes toward PEDs usage in comparison with the athletes engaged in sports for six or more years.…”

The performance enhancement attitude scale (PEAS) reached ‘adulthood’: Lessons and recommendations from a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…3 1 2 3 6 / o s f . i o / k 6 g y e | 19 to use performance enhancing substances" (Rintaugu & Mwangi, 2020). Because these items tap into a different aspect of doping attitude if any (general attitude vs. attitude about one's own doping related action) and because item level data were not presented to re-instate the 17item original scale, the study was excluded from meta-analysis.…”