Presented by:
Youth Culture Inc., Toronto, Ontario
March 2001
PDF Version (583KB)
Health Canada financed this study of Canadian teenagers aged between 12 and 19 to determine their attitudes and behaviour toward body piercing(s) and tattoos and the potential health risks associated with these behaviours. This study was included as a part of Trendscan, a national survey of 1208 youth via random digit dialling (RDD) which took place between September 24 and November 7, 2000. This survey revealed that:
The tattooed and pierced teen emerges as significantly different from the mainstream teen. The tattooed teen (and to a lesser extent the piercing teen) is an early style adopter, generally prone to risky behaviour and likely to be a user of drugs and alcohol. This is a “cool” teen who is a peer influencer in terms of style and behaviour.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant public health
problem in Canada. Currently, although the precise number of cases
of HCV infection is unknown, it is estimated that approximately
240,000 Canadians carry the virus, and of these, only 30% are aware
of their infection. Although the majority (60-80%) will be asymptomatic
after initial infection, between 75 - 85% will become chronically
infected. Of these, 10-20% are expected to develop cirrhosis following
a long latency period, which may last up to three decades. With
cirrhosis, the risk of developing end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular
carcinoma or cancer of the liver is 1 - 5%. It is predicted that
the number of cases of hepatitis C infection requiring liver transplants
will triple by the year 2008. Furthermore, cases of cirrhosis and
end-stage liver disease are also expected to double. Currently there
is no vaccine for HCV. It is clear that a significant burden will
be placed on Canada's health care system in the upcoming years.
Much has been done to characterize the epidemiology of HCV infection.
HCV is transmitted mainly through blood and blood products contaminated
with the virus. Injection drug use is the principal source of infection,
although percutaneous punctures have been known to happen in occupational
settings. Tattoos and body piercings may also present a risk of
infection, largely because of inadequate prevention control measures
(i.e. poorly cleaned instruments).
Currently, public health sentinel surveillance sites show that 3% of new cases of acute hepatitis C (as presented in clinics in Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Ottawa-Carleton) show body piercing or tattooing as risk factors.
Because of the above, the Hepatitis C Prevention, Support and Research Program undertook a survey of Canadian youth to determine their attitudes and behaviour toward body piercing(s) and tattoos and the potential health risks associated with these behaviours.
This study was included as a part of Trendscan , a national survey
of 1208 youth via random digit dialling (RDD) which took place between
September 24 and November 7, 2000. In order
to qualify, respondents had to be Canadian teens between the ages
of 12 and 19. All interviews required a parent's or guardian's
permission before proceeding; parents of teens were also asked to
provide demographic information. Questionnaire batteries were aggressively
rotated to avoid positional bias. The confidence level was 95% and
the statistical significance level is +/- 2.8. The full breakout
of the total sample among all subgroups is as follows:
Total |
Male |
Female |
12-13 |
14-15 |
16-17 |
18-19 |
BC |
PR |
ON |
QB |
ATL |
1208 |
565 |
643 |
299 |
307 |
301 |
301 |
157 |
201 |
449 |
300 |
101 |
The study aimed for a relatively even distribution among gender and age groups. Regional quotas were established based on the total population.
A clear portrait of the tattooed and pierced teen emerges from the Trendscan data. The clarity of this profile itself indicates that tattoos (and to a lesser extent piercings) are badges of identity and ways in which young people express themselves as individuals. This is supported by the fact that the number one reason teens want a tattoo or piercing is because “It looks good.”
The profile of the tattooed teen is similar to that of the pierced teen in many respects, but the tattooed teen is generally farther from the mainstream than is the pierced teen. The tattooed teen is in some respects a more extreme version of the pierced teen.
At the time of the study, 23% of teens aged between 12 and 19 had a piercing and 8% had a tattoo. An additional 20% want a piercing and 21% want a tattoo. Half of the teens have no plans for either.
There is a greater number of teens that want tattoos than have them (21% vs. 8%) and there is a greater frequency of tattoos within the 18-19 age group (15%). This combination suggests that tattooing is a trend that is still growing.
Across the regions, attitudes toward piercings and tattoos are consistent, except in Quebec. In Quebec, teens are less likely to have or want piercings and less likely to want tattoos.
The survey reveals that the tattooed and pierced teen is style conscious. This teen is more likely to be interested in rising brand names (e.g. Ecko) than mainstream brands (e.g. Nike). This is supported by the fact that Trendscan's Early Style Adopter (“ESA”) is much more likely to have a tattoo or piercing than the mainstream teen. The ESA is profiled in the main Trendscan report. Essentially, the ESA is more style-conscious and risk-taking than the average teen and is a social leader who influences the style behaviour of his or her peers.
In support of this, tattooed teens are more likely to do things “dangerous or forbidden” and are more likely to enjoy entertainment with violence in it.
Tattooed and pierced teens are also more likely than other teens to listen to punk and alternative music. This is possibly due to a connection between the punk and skateboarder cultures and piercing and tattoo styles.
Perhaps the clearest difference between tattooed teens and all teens is their engagement in other risky behaviour. For example, tattoo owners are almost four times as likely to be daily smokers than teens in general, and twice as likely to be weekly drinkers of alcohol.
Regarding perceived health risks, in most cases males and females did not identify hepatitis C as a perceived danger (only 4%), although 11% and 15%, respectively, identified HIV/AIDS. Awareness of both HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C increases as the teen ages (see appendix for details).
Our mission is to help the people of Canada
maintain and improve their health.
Health Canada
This Report was prepared by Youth Culture Inc.
Additional copies are available from:
Hepatitis C Prevention, Support & Research Program
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Postal Locator 4602A
2nd Floor, 400 Cooper Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9
Tel.: (613) 946-5674
Fax: (613) 941-7563
Consult this website for more information on the Hepatitis C Prevention, Support & Research Program.
The views in this report are those of Youth Culture and not necessarily those of Health Canada.
This publication can be made available in/on computer diskette, large print, audio-cassette or braille upon request.
Ce document est disponible en français.