Prevalence and characteristics of body piercing and tattooing among high school students.
BACKGROUND
Although body piercing and tattooing seem to be gaining popularity among a diversity of social and age groups, studies of these practices in general adolescent populations are scarce. This study establishes the prevalence of body modification (tattooing and body piercing) among high school students in grades 7-11 (aged 12 to 18).


METHODS
Data come from a 2002 in-school survey conducted among a representative sample of 2,180 students (81% response rate) enrolled in the 23 high schools of the Outaouais region in Quebec. Systematic sampling was performed. Specific data on tattooing and body piercing are available for 2,145 students (1% non-response rate).


RESULTS
A prevalence of 27% for body piercing and 8% for tattooing is observed among high school students. Differences between girls and boys are observed in many ways: i.e., frequency and number of tattoos or piercings; aftercare practices. While most teens say that a "professional" in a studio performed their body modification and that they received aftercare instruction, a high percentage of students report health complications following the procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
Results show that tattooing and body piercing are common among adolescents and may involve health risks. Consequently, appropriate preventive measures should be adopted by professionals such as school counsellors, nurses, physicians and others who are in contact with teenagers to help them make informed choices.
Deschesnes
Marthe
M
Outaouais Public Health Unit, Health and Social Services Agency of Outaouais, 104 Lois St., Gatineau, QC J8Y 3R7. Marthe_Deschesnes@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Demers
Stéphanie
S
Finès
Philippe
P
D000293:Adolescent; D046288:Body Piercing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011792:Quebec; D013653:Tattooing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*