Factors associated with medical complications after body art among Israeli adults: a retrospective study

Abstract Introduction Body-art, including tattoos and piercings, is steadily increasing world-wide but with relatively limited reporting of adverse outcomes. The objective of the present study was to identify correlates that would facilitate a preventative strategy to minimize adverse effects of bod...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Liat Korn, Hagit Bonny-Noach, Gideon Koren, Rachel Nissanholtz-Gannot
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2021-09-01
Series:Israel Journal of Health Policy Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-021-00474-w
_version_ 1819115357004103680
author Liat Korn
Hagit Bonny-Noach
Gideon Koren
Rachel Nissanholtz-Gannot
author_facet Liat Korn
Hagit Bonny-Noach
Gideon Koren
Rachel Nissanholtz-Gannot
author_sort Liat Korn
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Body-art, including tattoos and piercings, is steadily increasing world-wide but with relatively limited reporting of adverse outcomes. The objective of the present study was to identify correlates that would facilitate a preventative strategy to minimize adverse effects of body-art. Methods We examined patterns of body-art, health risk and perceptions among 921 participants (54% female, mean age of 35; SD = 10.8) through in-person questionnaire. Results A significantly lower frequency of those with body-art acknowledged that not all venues (parlors, clinics, etc.) are safe in terms of health and hygiene (84.7%t vs. 96.6%, p < .001) as compared to those without body-art. Similarly, knowledge of the need for a Ministry of Health certification was reported with lower frequency (77.2% vs. 94.5%, p < .001) among those with body-art. Those who experienced medical complications reported higher frequencies of smoking cigarettes and hookah as well as using ecstasy (MDMA). The risk of medical complication after body-art was 4 times higher in those who used ecstasy (OR = 3.97; CI 1.0–14.4; p < 0.05). In addition, it was more than 3 times higher for street or home tattooing as compared to studio or a licensed medical center (OR = 3.59; CI 1.32–9.76; p < .01), as well as almost 3 times higher among those who did not receive information before performing body-art (OR = 2.70; CI 1.05–6.92; p < .05) and who had somebody other than themselves decide on the body-art design (OR = 2.68; CI 1.00–7.19; p < .05). Conclusions A targeted informational-preventative program should be developed, informed by the risks highlighted in this study. In addition, it would be necessary to draft policies related to regulation and enforcement in order to more effectively manage body-art service provision. The Ministry of Health should supervise and guide tattooists and practitioners regarding the health risks of body-art and offer training and raise awareness among potential clients.
first_indexed 2024-12-22T04:59:54Z
format Article
id doaj.art-5a9ddefa73134a3d97b74ea039059022
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2045-4015
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-22T04:59:54Z
publishDate 2021-09-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Israel Journal of Health Policy Research
spelling doaj.art-5a9ddefa73134a3d97b74ea0390590222022-12-21T18:38:18ZengBMCIsrael Journal of Health Policy Research2045-40152021-09-011011810.1186/s13584-021-00474-wFactors associated with medical complications after body art among Israeli adults: a retrospective studyLiat Korn0Hagit Bonny-Noach1Gideon Koren2Rachel Nissanholtz-Gannot3Department of Health Systems Management, School of Health Sciences, Ariel UniversityDepartment of Criminology, School of Social Sciences, Ariel UniversityAdelson Faculty of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel and Motherisk Israel Program, Shamir HospitalDepartment of Health Systems Management, School of Health Sciences, Ariel UniversityAbstract Introduction Body-art, including tattoos and piercings, is steadily increasing world-wide but with relatively limited reporting of adverse outcomes. The objective of the present study was to identify correlates that would facilitate a preventative strategy to minimize adverse effects of body-art. Methods We examined patterns of body-art, health risk and perceptions among 921 participants (54% female, mean age of 35; SD = 10.8) through in-person questionnaire. Results A significantly lower frequency of those with body-art acknowledged that not all venues (parlors, clinics, etc.) are safe in terms of health and hygiene (84.7%t vs. 96.6%, p < .001) as compared to those without body-art. Similarly, knowledge of the need for a Ministry of Health certification was reported with lower frequency (77.2% vs. 94.5%, p < .001) among those with body-art. Those who experienced medical complications reported higher frequencies of smoking cigarettes and hookah as well as using ecstasy (MDMA). The risk of medical complication after body-art was 4 times higher in those who used ecstasy (OR = 3.97; CI 1.0–14.4; p < 0.05). In addition, it was more than 3 times higher for street or home tattooing as compared to studio or a licensed medical center (OR = 3.59; CI 1.32–9.76; p < .01), as well as almost 3 times higher among those who did not receive information before performing body-art (OR = 2.70; CI 1.05–6.92; p < .05) and who had somebody other than themselves decide on the body-art design (OR = 2.68; CI 1.00–7.19; p < .05). Conclusions A targeted informational-preventative program should be developed, informed by the risks highlighted in this study. In addition, it would be necessary to draft policies related to regulation and enforcement in order to more effectively manage body-art service provision. The Ministry of Health should supervise and guide tattooists and practitioners regarding the health risks of body-art and offer training and raise awareness among potential clients.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-021-00474-wBody-artTattoosPiercingsHealth complicationsSubstance use
spellingShingle Liat Korn
Hagit Bonny-Noach
Gideon Koren
Rachel Nissanholtz-Gannot
Factors associated with medical complications after body art among Israeli adults: a retrospective study
Israel Journal of Health Policy Research
Body-art
Tattoos
Piercings
Health complications
Substance use
title Factors associated with medical complications after body art among Israeli adults: a retrospective study
title_full Factors associated with medical complications after body art among Israeli adults: a retrospective study
title_fullStr Factors associated with medical complications after body art among Israeli adults: a retrospective study
title_full_unstemmed Factors associated with medical complications after body art among Israeli adults: a retrospective study
title_short Factors associated with medical complications after body art among Israeli adults: a retrospective study
title_sort factors associated with medical complications after body art among israeli adults a retrospective study
topic Body-art
Tattoos
Piercings
Health complications
Substance use
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-021-00474-w
work_keys_str_mv AT liatkorn factorsassociatedwithmedicalcomplicationsafterbodyartamongisraeliadultsaretrospectivestudy
AT hagitbonnynoach factorsassociatedwithmedicalcomplicationsafterbodyartamongisraeliadultsaretrospectivestudy
AT gideonkoren factorsassociatedwithmedicalcomplicationsafterbodyartamongisraeliadultsaretrospectivestudy
AT rachelnissanholtzgannot factorsassociatedwithmedicalcomplicationsafterbodyartamongisraeliadultsaretrospectivestudy