University Students’ Involvement in Body Piercing and Adherence to Safe Piercing Practices: Do Males and Females Differ?

Oct 15, 2026

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Health concerns of body piercing include infection, scarring, allergic reactions, pain, and transmission of disease. Research gaps include what university students perceive as piercing-related risks and whether they follow safe piercing practices. A survey of 536 students assessed piercing involvement, risk consideration, and adherence to safety behaviors. Findings show 35% had piercings, with many not considering allergic reactions or major blood-borne infections, and males reporting less risk consideration and fewer safe practices.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Research Article University Students’ Involvement in Body Piercing and Adherence to Safe Piercing Practices: Do Males and Females Differ? Keith A. King and Rebecca A. Vidourek ABSTRACT Background: Health concerns of body piercing include infection, scarring, allergic reactions, pain, and disease. Current gaps in the research include students’ perceived piercing risks and safe piercing practices. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine university students’ involvement in body piercing, risk consideration and adherence to safe piercing practices. Methods: A sample of 536 university students completed a 44-item survey regarding body piercing. Results: Results indicated that 35% had ever had a body piercing. Most obtained their piercing at a tattoo parlor (65%) and most did not consider the risks of allergic reaction (43%), HIV (31%), Hepatitis B (20%) or Hepatitis C (20%). Males were signiﬁcantly less likely than females to have considered the risks and to have engaged in safe piercing practices. Two-thirds reported that information about the risks of body piercing would be helpful in making decisions on whether to obtain future piercings. Discussion: Education on potential complications is warranted. Awareness campaigns should ensure that young males are informed regarding risks and safety precautions. Translation to Health Education Practice: Health educators should become aware of the risks of piercings and share this information with young adults so they can make healthy and informed decisions. BACKGROUND In the United States, the practice of body piercing has recently increased among adults and adolescents.1 Although individuals from various populations modify their bodies with piercings, young adults and university students in particular have embraced the custom with greater frequency.2 Previous studies found that 45–51% of university students have had their body pierced.3,4 Of this population, almost two-thirds (63%) obtained their piercing during the traditional college-age range of 18 to 22 years.5 Body piercing involves inserting a needle into an area of the body to create an opening in which jewelry may be worn.6 Outside of the earlobe, common piercing sites include eyebrows, tongue, nose, tragus, nipple, navel, and the genitalia.7 Body piercings are often obtained from tattoo parlors or piercing studios, but many of these venues employ unlicensed, unregulated artists.8 Additionally, some individuals perform piercings at home on themselves or others.9 Previous studies have cited a plethora of reasons for body piercings, including adornment, rite of passage, religious purposes, attractiveness, and enhanced sexual pleasure.10-12 One major concern related to body piercing is complications such as infection, bleeding, HIV, and hepatitis B.13 Such complications are often linked to hygiene, aftercare, speciﬁc piercing sites, materials used, and the piercer’s experience level. Improper sterilization techniques and an unclean environment can also lead to infection.9 Of those with piercings, 10–30% report some form of infection or bleeding associated with the procedure.7 Despite such potential problems, individuals with piercings tend to perceive few health risks associated with the practice and report that they would like additional piercings.14 Regarding body piercings and health behaviors, research has been inconclusive. Some studies have found no link between Keith A. King is an associate professor in the Heath Promotion and Education Program, University of Cincinnati, ML 0002, 526 TC, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0002; E-mail: keith. [king@uc.edu. Rebecca A. Vidourek is a graduate](king@uc.edu. Rebecca A. Vidourek is a graduate)[ ](king@uc.edu. Rebecca A. Vidourek is a graduate)assistant in the Heath Promotion and Education Program; [E-mail: vidourra@email.uc.edu](E-mail: vidourra@email.uc.edu). 346 American Journal of Health Education—November/December 2007, Volume 38, No. 6 Keith A. King a

FAQs

How many university students reported ever having a body piercing?

Thirty-five percent of the surveyed 536 university students reported ever having a body piercing.

Where did most students obtain their piercings?

Most students obtained their piercing at a tattoo parlor (65%).

What differences were observed between males and females?

Males were significantly less likely than females to have considered piercing-related risks and to have engaged in safe piercing practices.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Grenda