Table 2 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Studies including populations such as recreational AAS users, non-competitive AAS-using bodybuilders and weightlifters and, AAS users accessing drug services.

Studies involving participants who compete professionally and any study that focuses on competitive sports/athletes or high school athletes

Peer-Reviewed Papers^

Studies on wider drugs prevention interventions or strategies

Qualitative and Quantitative data

Studies that made passing references to participants seeking information but did not clarify the type of support or information including studies which showed an increase in people using NSPs but did not share exactly what they were using them for

Studies where participants were asked about where they access support, advice and information to help them manage their substance use and that identified the types of support and information they were seeking.

Specific medical interventions i.e. efficacy of treatments for side effects

Studies that included data collected on any support (information, advice, service or intervention) designed to support people who use IPED

Studies that focussed on prevention of AAS use and efficacy of such interventions

Studies that referenced participants attitudes to who they trusted around information but did not specifically state the types of information or support

Studies that were solely based on recommendations of professionals as to what support and information was needed but where the voice of the AAS user was absent

Articles not in English

Studies before the predominance of the internet as a source of information i.e. pre 2001. In 2001 the number of internet users went over 500 million worldwide [32]