Doping Knowledge and Educational Needs of Tanzanian Competitive Runners: Implications for Stakeholders

Abstract

The primary strategy to counter doping among athletes and their entourages is to enhance their knowledge and education, as outlined in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code. However, limited research exists on doping in Tanzania, making this study a novel effort to explore athletes' knowledge and educational needs. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and educational needs regarding doping among competitive running athletes in Tanzania. It was hypothesized that knowledge of doping would vary based on the athletes’ age, gender and experience. The study employed cross- sectional analytical design. A census sampling technique was used to select 117 competitive running athletes (73 males, 62.4% and 44 females, 37.6%) from twelve running camps in Arusha and Dar es Salaam regions of Tanzania. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires. Results revealed that the athletes in Tanzania self-reported an average doping knowledge score of (35.9±10.46), with the threshold for average doping knowledge set at 32.5. Athletes in the middle age category (26-35 years) exhibited the highest doping knowledge (42.81±13.07), while those in the older age group (36-45 years) had the lowest doping knowledge (29.33± 3.79). Males demonstrated greater doping knowledge (39.38 ± 11.49) compared to females (35.18 ± 8.76). Athletes with over 8 years of running experience showed higher knowledge of doping (38.00 ± 12.43) than those with few years of experience (0.5-3 years), who displayed lower knowledge (34.13 ± 9.33). The findings indicated that athletes’ doping knowledge was not influenced by age, gender or experience.  Educational needs identified among athletes included; knowledge on prohibited substances and methods (41.9%), doping agents’ adverse effects (29.1%), testing procedures (15.4%), and the risks of doping associated with nutritional supplements (12%). Running athletes in Tanzania exhibit insufficient doping knowledge, which increases the risk of inadvertent doping violations and jeopardizes both their careers and their well-being. Therefore, it is crucial to develop and enhance doping education programmes in Tanzania.