Balci, SerapSari, EmineMutlu, Birsen2020-03-262020-03-2620150030-9982https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12395/31956Objective: To assess the frequency of piercing and tattooing among university students and to determine the extent of risk-taking behaviour in this age group. Method: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a university in Istanbul, Turkey, from December 2009 to February 2010. Data was obtained from students through a questionnaire. SPSS 20 was used for statistical analysis. Result: Of the 1303 subjects, 838(64.3%) were girls. The overall mean age of the sample was 21.7+/-1.9 years. A total of 107 (8.2%) had piercings and 56(4.3%) had tattoos. It was seen that young people who had piercings and tattoos were significantly more likely (p<0.05) to exhibit certain types of risk behaviour including smoking, alcohol, substance abuse, extreme sports, carrying switchblades/knives, unprotected sexuality and having multiple sex partners. Conclusion: In the face of the steadily increasing fads of piercing and tattooing among the youth, families, teachers and health professionals need to be constantly on the alert.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessPiercingTattooingRisk behaviourArticle65658759226060151Q4WOS:000360441800002Q4