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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
. 2006 Jul 1;97(4):325–329. doi: 10.1007/BF03405614

Prevalence and Characteristics of Body Piercing and Tattooing Among High School Students

Marthe Deschesnes 114,✉, Stéphanie Demers 214, Philippe Finès 114
PMCID: PMC6975700  PMID: 16967755

Abstract

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.

Conclusion: 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.

MeSH terms: Tattooing, body piercing, adolescents, survey

Footnotes

Acknowledgements: This study was conducted through a grant from the Public Health Grant Program of the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services.

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