About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

UK Health Authorities Urge Gyms to Provide Needles for Steroid Users

by Bidita Debnath on September 25, 2013 at 11:03 PM
Font : A-A+

UK Health Authorities Urge Gyms to Provide Needles for Steroid Users

British health authorities said that Gyms should provide needles for people who inject steroids and tanning drugs to reduce the risk of them contracting blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis and HIV.

They also urged needle and syringe programmes normally targeted at heroin users to look at how to reach out to people who inject dermal fillers such as collagen or Botox.

Advertisement

About 70,000 people injected anabolic steroids in England and Wales in the past year, according to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), a government body which provides guidance on health services.

A study of 395 injectors published last week found that one in 18 had been exposed to hepatitis C, one in 11 had been exposed to hepatitis B and one in 65 has HIV.
Advertisement

NICE has now put new guidance out for consultation urging the establishment of needle and syringe programmes in gyms.

"Anyone who injects drugs is at risk of HIV and other blood-borne viruses, regardless of their substance of choice," said Dr Vivian Hope, an expert at Public Health England.

"Our recent research suggests that levels of HIV and hepatitis infection among men using image and performance enhancing drugs have increased since the 1990s."

She urged "easy access for those who inject image and performance enhancing drugs to voluntary confidential testing services for HIV and hepatitis, as well as to appropriate sterile injecting equipment through needle and syringe programmes".

Source: AFP
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Reading

Latest General Health News

 People Living Close to the Seaside Enjoy Better Health
Direct coastal access may represent a viable route to public health promotion, but the relationships of coastal living are not strongest among lower-income groups.
 Over Four Million Gardeners Place Their Hearing in Danger
New research by Tinnitus UK has found that over four million gardeners are putting their hearing capacity at risk this summer without using safety protection.
Breaking the Barrier: Unraveling Mucus Plugs to Save Lives in COPD
Mucus plugs could be targeted to help reduce fatalities from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
 Disease Modifying Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis Continue to Drive Up Healthcare Cost
The development of reliable curative therapies for multiple sclerosis could significantly reduce the economic burden of the disease on patients and wider society.
 New Genetic Variant Provides Protection Against Alzheimer's Disease
A genetic variant in a patient protected from autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) suggests a role for RELN signaling in resilience to dementia.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

UK Health Authorities Urge Gyms to Provide Needles for Steroid Users Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests