Doping Practices, Knowledge of Anti-Doping Control and Roles of Physical Education Teachers in Anti-Doping Education

Abstract

The role of coaches in promoting anti-doping education among athletes is well researched in the Western world. This study examined the role of Physical Education (P.E.) teachers in anti-doping education in Ghana, focusing on doping practices, knowledge of anti-doping control, and the importance of doping education in training programmes among student-athletes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven P.E. teachers aged 31-46, who coached various sporting disciplines in Senior High Schools, including football, handball, netball, hockey, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, and athletics. Based on preliminary results, additional information was gathered from ten student-athletes regarding the use of doping products and their harmful effects. The interviews were transcribed, and the data were analysed thematically. Findings revealed that although coaches and athletes are aware of the effects of doping, efforts to promote anti-doping education have met resistance, as students claimed that P.E. teachers are not health professionals. In some cases, P.E. teachers were also found culpable of aiding students in using banned performance-enhancing drugs during competitions. Another concern highlighted by this study is the sale of drugs to youths without prescriptions, which has not only led to loss of lives but also to an increase in doping cases, as students can easily access substances for doping. Based on these findings, the study proposes recommendations for political stakeholders to improve anti-doping education and practices in Ghanaian schools.