Impact of an Anti-doping Education Session on Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs Among University Students in sports-related Programmes
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Date
2025
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
Australian International Academic Centre
Abstract
Background: Reports of doping cases have put Kenya’s renowned athletic prowess into
disrepute. The impact of educational interventions spearheaded by Anti-doping Agency of
Kenya (ADAK) is unknown, with sessions hardly being appraised. Objective: This study
examined the efficacy of an anti-doping education session in impacting the knowledge,
attitudes and beliefs (KAB) among university students in sport-related courses. It was
postulated that there would be significant changes in the students’ KAB after the anti-doping
education session, moderated by age, gender, year of study, sport competition experience
and study programme clusters. Methods: Cross-sectional and quasi-experimental designs
were applied. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires before and
after a one day anti-doping education session conducted by the ADAK. Participants
(n=174) were students from three sports-related academic programmes who are expected
to occupy athletes’ support personnel positions after graduation. Results: Wilcoxon
Signed Ranks Test showed significant differences in general knowledge on performance enhancing substances (PES) (Z=-6.084; p<.001) and attitude towards doping (Z=-4.050;
p<.001), with the post-session test registering higher positive mean rank scores (72.41 vs
42.75 and 72.64 vs 61.79, respectively). There were significant differences across study
programmes in prior knowledge of anabolic steroids (p=.003) and stimulants (p=.018)
as doping agents. Regression analyses showed significant influence (Adjusted R Square
=.109; p<.001) by year of study (p=.001), degree programme (p=.007) and athlete status
(p=.030). Conclusion: There is a need to customize students’ anti-doping intervention
sessions based on age category, athletic status, and courses of study to optimise doping
prevention education outcomes
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Citation
Mwangi, Francis M., et al. "Impact of an Anti-doping Education Session on Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs Among University Students in sports-related Programmes." International Journal of Kinesiology and Sports Science 13.1 (2025): 54-63.