Asociación entre tatuajes, perforaciones y conductas de riesgo en adolescentes

• María Laura Cossio T ^[1] ; Laura Giesen F ^[2] ; Gabriela Araya ^[1] ; María Luisa Pérez-Cotapos S ^[1]
  1. [1] Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

     Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

     Santiago, Chile

     
  2. [2] Universidad de Los Andes

     Universidad de Los Andes

     Colombia

     
• Localización: Revista Médica de Chile, ISSN-e 0034-9887, Vol. 140, Nº. 2, 2012, págs. 198-206
• Idioma: español
• Títulos paralelos:
  • Association between tattoos, piercings and risk behaviors in adolescents
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen

  • Background: The use of tattoos and piercings has increased, especially among adolescents in the last decades. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of these behaviors in adolescents and their association with risk behaviors such as alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use and sexual promiscuity. Material and Methods: An anonymous and confidential survey about tattooing and piercings was applied to randomly selected high school teenagers, attending municipal, private-subsidized and private schools, in four sectors of Santiago (north-east, south-east, north-west, south-west). Results: The surveys were answered by 1329 participants with a mean age of 15 years (62% women) from 9 schools in Santiago. The prevalence of tattoos was 1.7% (confidence intervals (CI) 1.1% to 2.5%). The figure for piercings was 30.6% (CI 28.2 to 33.1%). A higher prevalence of tattooing and piercings was observed in groups with a history of psychiatric disorders, criminal records, alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug consumption and initiation of sexual activity (p < 0,001). Conclusions: This study confirms that tattoos and piercings are indicators of adolescent risk behaviors.