Public Health · 2 h ago
Tattooing associated with risk behaviors in Utah adult survey
A cross-sectional analysis of 18,687 Utah adults found tattooing was more prevalent among younger adults and associated with tobacco, e-cigarette, and heavy alcohol use. Tattoo prevalence was lower among people reporting influenza or COVID-19 vaccination; the observational findings do not establish causation.
- Tattoo prevalence was 26% among women and 22% among men.
- Prevalence was highest among adults aged 25–29 years.
- Tattooing was associated with tobacco, vaping, and heavy alcohol use.
- Cross-sectional data cannot establish causation.
Researchers analyzed 2020–2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for 18,687 Utah adults aged 18 years or older. They estimated adjusted prevalence ratios for tattooing in relation to demographic characteristics, health measures, and risk behaviors.
Tattoo prevalence was 26% among women and 22% among men, and was highest among adults aged 25–29 years (45% and 34%, respectively). Prevalence was higher among people with less than a college degree and those without religious affiliation. Current tobacco use was associated with tattooing in women (adjusted prevalence ratio [PR], 2.89; 95% CI, 2.60–3.20) and men (PR, 3.39; 95% CI, 2.98–3.86). Associations were also reported for e-cigarette use and heavy alcohol use. Tattoo prevalence was lower among those reporting influenza or COVID-19 vaccination.
The authors suggest tattoo studios and conventions could offer settings for public-health partnerships on cessation, alcohol reduction, and vaccination. Because the study was cross-sectional and relied on survey data from Utah, it cannot establish causal relationships or show that the findings apply nationally. The reported associations should not be interpreted as evidence that tattooing causes, or prevents, these behaviors or vaccination.
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BMC Public Health: Associations of demographic, health, and risk behaviors with tattooing in a population-based cross-sectional study of ~ 18,000 US adults ↗This is an automated AI-condensed summary that has not yet been reviewed by an editor. Always consult the full item at the original source.