title: Body piercing: lifestyle indicator or fashion accessory?
abstract: A study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of body piercing (BP) in women attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic, and any associated demographic, socioeconomic and sexual indicators. One hundred and fifty-two new female patients attending the Southampton clinic were the subjects of the study; of these 52 (32%) had BP, the most common site being the navel (25%). BP was more common in women who had their ears pierced more than once (35:71, 49%). It was less common in women who were non-smokers, being present in 17:77 (22%), and in older women, only one of 18 (6%) women aged 35 or older having had BP done. The presence of BP was not associated with socioeconomic class, method of contraception, multiple partners, or the presence of any genital infection. The study supports the suggestion that most BP is done for fashion reasons.
authors.affiliation: Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Southampton SO14 0YG, UK. Fred.Willmott@suht.swest.nhs.uk
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Willmott
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001828:Body Image; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods; D004431:Ear, External / Q000293:injuries; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011677:Punctures / Q000639:trends*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014472:Umbilicus / Q000293:injuries; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology