Knowledge and Attitude of Kinshasa Women Towards the Dangers of Excessive Use of Corticosteroids and Cyproheptadine in Order to Gain Weight: Cross-Sectional and Analytical Study

Introduction: It is a cultural issue related to feminine aesthetics that has given rise to men's taste for plump women with roundness. Thin women, especially those who appreciate pants, dresses or skirts thattightenthe body, feel self-conscious and engage in the practice of abusing corticosteroids and cyproheptadine for weight gain. This practice consists of taking Cyproheptadine syrup, mixing it with 60 corticosteroid tablets, and then taking it orally before going to sleep. This is repeated every 5 days. The aim of this study is toto determine the prevalence of Kinshasa women consuming corticosteroids and cyproheptadine in order to gain weight, as well as their levels of knowledge and their attitude towards the resulting dangers and risks. Methods: It was a cross-sectional and analytical study carried outamong women aged 15 to 35 residing in the city of Kinshasa, in the DR Congo. The selection of participants was made in the 4 districts of the City. Women who knew the usecorticosteroids/cyproheptadine for weight gain were selected.Study parameters included sociodemographic data, prevalence and determinants of corticosteroid and cyproheptadine consumption. Results: A total of 260 respondents (average age21.12 ± 3.49 years), singles (84%), of secondary education level (54%) and having no occupation or unemployed (81.53%). The majority of respondents, 98.84%, are aware of the types of corticosteroids/cyproheptadine; 98.41% of respondents say they know the weight gain effects of these products. In addition, 94.21% of respondents consume corticosteroids/cyproheptadine for weight gain. As for knowledge of the side effects and illnesses related to taking these corticosteroids/cyproheptadine, 92.69% of respondents knew its side effects and illnesses and identified obesity as a complication and illness in 56.53% of cases. The majority, 88.07% of those surveyed, had the attitude of taking thecorticosteroids/cyproheptadine despite their knowledge of the side effectsand the complications of this taking. But in 80.38% of cases, these respondents did not know the seriousness of the side effects resulting from this intake. Conclusion: The single Kinoise, with a secondary education and no profession, knows the types of corticosteroids/cyproheptadine, knows the weight gain effects of these products, and consumes them for the purpose of weight gain. She also knows the side effects and diseases that can result from taking them, citing obesity without knowing the seriousness of these side effects. But, she has the attitude of still consuming themcorticosteroids/cyproheptadine.