Tattooing and body piercing among adolescent detainees: Relationship to alcohol and other drug use

Purpose: The purpose of this preliminary study was to document self-reporte d tattooing and body piercing behavior among a sample of 860 adolescent det ainees. Additionally, the study examined the relationship of alcohol and dr ug use to tattooing and body piercing - an often overlooked HIV risk behavi or. Methods: Adolescents (N=860) participating in a substance use and HIV r isk reduction intervention were surveyed upon entrance to a Youth Developme nt Campus (YDC). Results: twenty-nine percent of the sample (N=245) had at least one tattoo, and more than half (69%) had at least one body piercing. Fifteen percent had two or more tattoos, while 28% had three or more pierci ngs. Although a small percentage of the youth reported knowingly sharing ne edles for tattoos or piercings (2% and 1.5%, respectively), 21% had tattoos that had been administered unprofessionally and 20% had unprofessionally a dministered piercings. Marijuana and alcohol were the highest reported subs tances used in this sample, 62% and 54%, respectively. Alcohol, marijuana, antidepressants, and sedatives were significant correlates of having tattoo s. Alcohol was found to be a marginally significant (P=.052) correlate of b ody piercing. Conclusion: The popularity of tattooing and piercing and the risk involved with these activities make them an HIV risk behavior worthy o f address. Risk reduction messages to youth should consistently address the se behaviors and focus on them as they relate to substance use. (C) 2001 El sevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.