Tattoo Practice Among Students in Babylon University

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Tattoo is the introduction of colored ink into the skin, and considered a form of body art for centuries. Its prevalence is rising among adolescents and young adults, mainly in western societies despite being linked to certain health risks. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the characteristics of tattoo practice among college students, and to highlight its association with certain characteristics of the students. METHODS: The study is a cross-sectional study conducted on college students in Babylon University from January 2019 through June 2019. Data were collected using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire based on Armstrong Team Tattoo Attitude Survey (ATTAS). RESULTS: The study included (1932) students with a mean age of (21.05 ± 1.69) years, majority being females (70.3%). Tattoo practice was present in (8.3%) of them, with significantly higher proportion among males (P<0.001). Tattoo was significantly more prevalent among students with tattooed family members and friends (P<0.001), odds ratio=3.09 for family members with tattoos and 5.19 for friends with tattoo. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated the significant role of friends and families in the practice of tattoos, with friends having the highest role. Majority of students performed their first tattoo before college.