Body piercing and tattoos: a survey on young adults' knowledge of the risks and practices in body art

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The practice of tattooing and piercing has expanded in western society. In order to verify young adults' knowledge of the risk and practices related to body art, an investigation was conducted among freshmen of the University of...

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Main Authors: Caggiano Giuseppina, Montagna Claudio, Fasano Fabrizio, Napoli Christian, Quaranta Alessia, Montagna Maria
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2011-10-01
Series:BMC Public Health
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/774
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spelling doaj-4f7eae74a0e94784b40917ffe8c7adfc2020-11-25T00:59:17ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582011-10-0111177410.1186/1471-2458-11-774Body piercing and tattoos: a survey on young adults' knowledge of the risks and practices in body artCaggiano GiuseppinaMontagna ClaudioFasano FabrizioNapoli ChristianQuaranta AlessiaMontagna Maria<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The practice of tattooing and piercing has expanded in western society. In order to verify young adults' knowledge of the risk and practices related to body art, an investigation was conducted among freshmen of the University of Bari in the region of Apulia, Italy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was carried out in the Academic Year 2009-2010 through an anonymous self-administered written questionnaire distributed to 1.656 freshmen enrolled in 17 Degree Courses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 1.598 students included in the analysis, 78.3% believe it is risky to undergo piercing/tattoo practices. AIDS was indicated as a possible infection by 60.3% of freshmen, hepatitis C by 38.2%, tetanus by 34.3% and hepatitis B by 33.7% of the sample. 28.1% of freshmen were not aware that there are also non-infectious complications. 29% of the sample had at least one piercing or tattoo (this percentage does not include earlobe piercing in women). Of those with body art, the decision to undergo body art was made autonomously in 57.9% of the participants. 56.3% of freshmen undergoing body art had taken less than a month to decide. With regard to the reasons that led the sample to undergo body art, 28.4% were unable to explain it, 23.8% answered to improve their aesthetic aspect, 18.4% to distinguish themselves from others, 12.3% for fashion; 17.1% for other reasons. 25.4% of the sample declared that they had a piercing (79.8% female vs 20.2% male; ratio M/F 1:4.0). The average age for a first piercing was 15.3 years (range 10-27; SD ± 2.9). 9.6% of the sample declared that they have a tattoo (69.9% female vs 30.1% male; ratio M/F 1:2.3). The average age for a first tattoo was 17.5 years (range 10-26, SD ± 2.4).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Most of the freshmen knew about AIDS-related risks but not other potential risks. Body art is fairly common among young adults (especially women). The decision is often not shared with the family and is undertaken mostly without a specific reason or for the improvement of aesthetic aspect. Information about freshmen's knowledge, attitudes and practices could help in effective planning of health promotion strategies.</p> http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/774
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Caggiano Giuseppina
Montagna Claudio
Fasano Fabrizio
Napoli Christian
Quaranta Alessia
Montagna Maria
spellingShingle Caggiano Giuseppina
Montagna Claudio
Fasano Fabrizio
Napoli Christian
Quaranta Alessia
Montagna Maria
Body piercing and tattoos: a survey on young adults' knowledge of the risks and practices in body art
BMC Public Health
author_facet Caggiano Giuseppina
Montagna Claudio
Fasano Fabrizio
Napoli Christian
Quaranta Alessia
Montagna Maria
author_sort Caggiano Giuseppina
title Body piercing and tattoos: a survey on young adults' knowledge of the risks and practices in body art
title_short Body piercing and tattoos: a survey on young adults' knowledge of the risks and practices in body art
title_full Body piercing and tattoos: a survey on young adults' knowledge of the risks and practices in body art
title_fullStr Body piercing and tattoos: a survey on young adults' knowledge of the risks and practices in body art
title_full_unstemmed Body piercing and tattoos: a survey on young adults' knowledge of the risks and practices in body art
title_sort body piercing and tattoos: a survey on young adults' knowledge of the risks and practices in body art
publisher BMC
series BMC Public Health
issn 1471-2458
publishDate 2011-10-01
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The practice of tattooing and piercing has expanded in western society. In order to verify young adults' knowledge of the risk and practices related to body art, an investigation was conducted among freshmen of the University of Bari in the region of Apulia, Italy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was carried out in the Academic Year 2009-2010 through an anonymous self-administered written questionnaire distributed to 1.656 freshmen enrolled in 17 Degree Courses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 1.598 students included in the analysis, 78.3% believe it is risky to undergo piercing/tattoo practices. AIDS was indicated as a possible infection by 60.3% of freshmen, hepatitis C by 38.2%, tetanus by 34.3% and hepatitis B by 33.7% of the sample. 28.1% of freshmen were not aware that there are also non-infectious complications. 29% of the sample had at least one piercing or tattoo (this percentage does not include earlobe piercing in women). Of those with body art, the decision to undergo body art was made autonomously in 57.9% of the participants. 56.3% of freshmen undergoing body art had taken less than a month to decide. With regard to the reasons that led the sample to undergo body art, 28.4% were unable to explain it, 23.8% answered to improve their aesthetic aspect, 18.4% to distinguish themselves from others, 12.3% for fashion; 17.1% for other reasons. 25.4% of the sample declared that they had a piercing (79.8% female vs 20.2% male; ratio M/F 1:4.0). The average age for a first piercing was 15.3 years (range 10-27; SD ± 2.9). 9.6% of the sample declared that they have a tattoo (69.9% female vs 30.1% male; ratio M/F 1:2.3). The average age for a first tattoo was 17.5 years (range 10-26, SD ± 2.4).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Most of the freshmen knew about AIDS-related risks but not other potential risks. Body art is fairly common among young adults (especially women). The decision is often not shared with the family and is undertaken mostly without a specific reason or for the improvement of aesthetic aspect. Information about freshmen's knowledge, attitudes and practices could help in effective planning of health promotion strategies.</p>
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/774
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