DESCRIPCIÓN DEL SISTEMA PROPUESTO

6.1.1 Demographic Information

Three hundred and twenty seven (327) athletes participated in the study giving a response rate of 81.75%. They consisted of 190 (58.2%) males and 137 (41.8%) females. Majority (77.3%) of the respondents were under 25 years. Only 3 athletes were over 36 years. Twenty one percent (21.7%) were between 26 and 35 years. Majority (80%) of the elite athletes had an experience of 5 to 14 years. The most common athletic discipline was track events (long races >800M; 58.1%) and least common walking race at 0.3%.

6.1.2 Knowledge of Doping among Kenyan Elite Runners

This objective sought to evaluate the knowledge of doping among Kenyan elite runners. Findings established that they had moderate knowledge of doping with a mean score of 46.4%. There was a slight variation on scores for specific doping issues; prohibited substances (30.6%), testing procedures (17.1%), athletes’ rights and responsibilities (31.2%) and knowledge of supplements (45.0%).

6.1.3 Attitude of Kenyan Elite Runners towards Doping

The second objective sought to assess the attitude of elite athletes towards doping practice. The findings reflected a very strong negative attitude towards doping among majority of the athletes, with up to 82.3% of the respondents disagreeing with statements in favor of doping. Only 17.7% either agreed or slightly agreed with the statements. This was reflected in most of the 13 statements used in the likert scale.

6.1.4 Doping Practices among Kenyan Elite Distance Runners

The objective sought to establish possible practice of doping in Kenya by assessing the occurrence of any of the eight anti-doping rule violations outlined by WADA. Purposeful use of performance enhancing drugs as confessed by the athletes was low at 4%. However, 38% of them reported knowing another athlete who uses performance enhancing drugs. This suggests that the prevalence could be more than the reported 4%. On compliance with other anti-doping rule violations, 42% do not declare their where-about during competitions as required by WADA code, another 8% have been aided or abetted to dope by other athletes. 1.2% admitted possession and trafficking of banned substances, and a further 0.2% refusing or failing to submit specimen.

6.1.5 Use of Herbal and Nutritional Supplements

This objective aimed to establish athlete’s knowledge and use of supplements in order to assess the risk involved with regard to doping regulations. Twenty one point four percent (21.4%) of the respondents admitted using supplements while 73.9% did not. A further 4.7% were not sure. From these findings it can be concluded that supplements use among athletes is low. The results further indicated that apart from multivitamins which 16.7% of the respondents admitted using or having used, all other supplements (creatine, iron, ginseng, vit C, caffeine, magnesium, whey protein, Echinacea, and khat) had only been used by less than 3.3% of the athletes. The major reason cited for using supplements were to enhance endurance (15.5%) followed by to allow the athletes to train longer (5.5%), to overcome injuries (3.0%) and advice from the doctor and or nutritionist. A question was posed to established athletes’ awareness with regard to risk of using supplements and doping violations. Findings indicated that up to 44.4% of the athlete who use supplements could be at risk of consuming banned substances.

6.1.6 Common Sources of Doping Information

This objective aimed to establish the common sources of doping information used by athletes as well as the usefulness of the resources to the athletes. The study established that the most common source of doping information is AK (30.6%) followed by IAAF at 19.4%, World Anti-Doping Agency (9.2%) and NACADA (7.0%). The results also reveal that a substantial number (20.4%) of athletes have

never received information on drug free sport while 9.2% indicated that they have received information on drug free sport but they are not certain about the source. The most preferred websites for up-to-date information for drug-free sport were AK (41.3%), World Anti-Doping Agency (12.3%), IAAF (5.5%). The results reveal two distinct categories of athletes; those who use the internet (64.2%) and those who indicated they had no time to spend on browsing the internet (35.8%).When respondents were asked to name other sources of anti-doping dissemination materials, media came first at 26.9% followed by coaches at 17.3%, AK officials /offices at 15.4% and chemists at 14.4%.

6.1.7 Factors that Influence Doping Practices

The reasons given by elite athletes for doping and therefore acts as a catalyst to their use were varied. Money prize emerged outstanding reason with upto 54% of athletes mentioning it. External pressure was second with 18%, followed by lack of confidence with 14%. Lack of knowledge of health consequences and doping regulations were least with 8% and 6% respectively.

6.1.8 Association between Age and Knowledge of doping

Pearson chi square confirmed a significant association between age of athletes and their knowledge of doping with χ2value of 31.6, df = 4 and p = .002. One way ANOVA also indicated a significant difference with p = .002, f = 4.299. Older athletes score better than younger athletes.

6.1.9 Association between Gender and Knowledge of doping

A close examination of knowledge mean scores indicated a slight variation on different genders with males scoring slightly higher than females. However Pearson correlation did not indicate a significant association between the two variables (Pearson correlation .08, p = .147).

6.1.10 Association between Experience and Knowledge of Doping

Though a cross tabulation between knowledge of doping and experience of athletes showed slight variation of knowledge scores with the length of experience, there was no significant association between the two variables. (Pearson chi square value = 8.03, p = .531).