Anabolic androgenic steroid use population size estimation: a first stage study utilising a Delphi exercise

Harms associated with anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) use are well-established and a public health concern. Robust estimates of the numbers using AAS needed to inform responses, however, in UK these lacking. Due comparative rarity stigma, general population surveys problematic data availability limits indirect approaches. To address this, Delphi method was used refine key parameters for estimation from attendances at needle syringe programmes (NSP) use. An expert panel (n = 63) surveyed three times 40, 39, 37) generate likely range on NSP attendances. A broad agreement reached on: regional variations use; proportion men who only them orally; inject NSP; women. We conclude that previous survey-based recent appear implausible, indicated by being up 10-times higher. is more common than previously indicated, but further work size characteristics.