Alarming Biochemical Parameters among Athletes: The Role of Targeted Health Education in Dietary Supplement and Anabolic Hormone Consumers
Volume 5, No. 2, 2026
(Received: 2025/11/17, Accepted: 2026/01/08)
Authors:
Sameer Hafez; Noha Ahmed Mohamed; Magda M. Mohsen Mohsen; Mona M Abd El-Maksoud; Hamda Ahmed Mohamed Eldesoky; Dawlat Ahmed Mahmoud Gharib; Shaimaa Hashem Elsalous Elsalous; Sadeq Abdo Mohammed Alwesabi; Elsadig Eltaher Hamed Abdulrahman; Ghada Elsaid Ali Elsayed; Abdelelah Abdelgadir Ahmed Hamed; Yahya Hussein Ahmed; Warqaa Taha Taha; Samah Ramadan Elrefaey; Mohamed Mustafa Abd Algany;
Keywords:
Keywords: Health education, dietary supplements, anabolic hormones, athlete behavior.
Abstract:
<p><strong>Background:</strong> The rising misuse of dietary supplements and anabolic hormones among athletes is a growing global public health concern, with Egypt being no exception.</p>
<p><strong>Aim:</strong> This study evaluated the effectiveness of nursing health education intervention in enhancing knowledge, attitudes, and safe practices among Egyptian athletes who use dietary supplements and anabolic hormones.</p>
<p><strong>Methods:</strong> A quasi-experimental design was applied to 100 randomly selected athletes from licensed fitness clubs in Beni-Suef governorate, Egypt. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire covering demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and supplement use, alongside biochemical analyses of liver and kidney function.</p>
<p><strong>Results:</strong> Biochemical findings indicated elevated health risks, with mean alkaline phosphatase at 139.4 ± 6.2 U/L, creatinine at 1.45 ± 0.15 mg/dL, and blood urea nitrogen at 23.5 ± 2.8 mg/dL—values exceeding reference ranges. Following the intervention, knowledge scores significantly improved (11.4 ± 1.3 to 17.1 ± 0.9; p < 0.0001), attitudes shifted positively (14.2 ± 2.1 to 23.3 ± 2.6; p < 0.001), and safe use practices increased significantly (p < 0.001).</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Targeted health education proved effective in improving Biochemical parameters, awareness, attitudes, and safer practices among athletes, while biochemical findings highlighted the urgent health risks associated with misuse.</p>
<p><strong>Recommendations:</strong> Implementing and expanding similar educational programs nationwide, complemented by follow-up counseling, may help sustain behavioral change and promote athlete health and safety.</p>
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