Prevalence of anabolic steroid use among illinois high school students.

This study was conducted to quantify anabolic steroid use in Illinois, investigate student knowledge and perception of anabolic steroid use, and identify characteristics of the anabolic steroid user. We surveyed 3047 freshman and senior high school students from 38 high schools, randomly selected from three school enrollment sizes and five geographic locations, using a six-page anonymous questionnaire. Anabolic steroid use was reported by 58 (1.9%) of the participants, 44 of 1477 (3%) males and 14 of 1562 (0.9%) females. Thirty-four of 1679 (2%) freshman and 24 of 1366 (1.8%) seniors reported use. Anabolic steroids were used in all possible school enrollment sizes and geographic locations (matrix cells). Four (7%) of the users reported starting at age 10 or younger. A teacher/coach was reported as a primary source by 8 (14%) of the users, as well as identified by 11 (19%) of the users as the individual they knew using anabolic steroids. It appears that anabolic steroids are being introduced to students in elementary and junior high schools, and that teachers/coaches are actively involved in their use.