scholarly journals What about Your Body Ornament? Experiences of Tattoo and Piercing among Italian Youths

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12429
Author(s):  
Francesca Gallè ◽  
Federica Valeriani ◽  
Daniela Marotta ◽  
Andrea De Giorgi ◽  
Annalisa Bargellini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Body Art ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Health Complications ◽  
Italian Territory

Background: tattooing and piercing are increasingly common, especially among youths. However, several health complications may be associated with these practices if basic hygiene rules are not respected. This multicenter study was aimed at exploring tattoo and piercing experiences reported by a large sample of Italian undergraduate students through a public health perspective. Methods: tattooed and/or pierced students attending 12 Italian universities were asked to complete a web-based questionnaire regarding their body art experience. Results: out of 1472 respondents, 833 (56.6%) were tattooed and 1009 (68.5%) were pierced. The greatest proportion of tattooed students (93.9%) got her/his first tattoo in a tattoo studio, while most of the pierced were serviced in a jewelry store (48.0%). The pierced ones were less informed on health issues related to the procedure (56.0% versus 77.8% of tattooed p < 0.001), and tattooists were reportedly more attentive to hygiene rules (instrument sterilization 91.5% versus 79.1% of piercers, p < 0.001; use of disposable gloves 98.2% versus 71% of piercers, p < 0.001). Conclusions: educational interventions for both professionals and communities are needed to improve the awareness and the control of health risks related to body art throughout the Italian territory.

scholarly journals Undergraduates' perception of health risk of body arts: results of an Italian multicentre study

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Marotta ◽  
F Gallè ◽  
F Valeriani ◽  
G Liguori ◽  
V Romano Spica ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Life Science ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Body Art ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Science Courses ◽  
Art Practices

Abstract Background In the last decades, body art practices such as tattooing and piercing have known an increasing popularity, mainly in young people. These procedures are associated with infectious and non-infectious health risks. The aim of this multicenter study was to evaluate the knowledge of health risks related to body art procedures among undergraduate students from ten Italian universities. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed on undergraduate students attending universities in northern, central and southern Italy. An anonymous questionnaire was administered to the participants for collecting their socio-demographic characteristics and for assessing their knowledge about health risks associated with tattoos and piercing. Results A total of 2985 students (mean age 23.15 ± 3.99, 73.9% females) completed the questionnaire. 775 (25.9%) of them were from northern Italy, 906 (30.3%) from the Centre and 1324 (44.4%) from the South. More than 90% of the sample were aware that tattoo/piercing procedures can cause health problems. However, the mean values of correct answers about the health risks associated to body art practices were low (5.38 ± 2.39 on a total of 11 correct answers for tattooing and 5.93 ± 3.12 on a total of 14 for piercing). Higher knowledge of the health risks related to tattooing was found among those attending university since more than four years (p &lt; 0.001), life science courses (p &lt; 0.001) and residing/living in the university area (p = 0.023). Those attending North/Centre universities (p &lt; 0.001), since more than 4 years (p &lt; 0.001), life science courses (p &lt; 0.001), and those with graduated father (p = 0.013) had better knowledge of the health risks related to piercing. Conclusions These results show a lack of knowledge about health risks related to body art practices in the sample. Educational interventions on this issue targeted to youth are needed in Italy. Key messages Undergraduates do not show a good knowledge of health risks related to tattooing and piercing. Educational interventions are needed to raise youth awareness and knowledge of health risks of body art.

The role of the internet in suicide prevention from the public health perspective

2021 ◽  
pp. 683-698
Author(s):  
Michael Westerlund ◽  
Karolina Krysinska
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
The Public ◽  
Social Media Platforms

An overview of research on suicide and the internet, as well as the practical applications of online interventions in suicide prevention efforts is given. The text presents how much material about suicide is available online and what are the contents, with a special focus on pro-suicide and harmful online material and communication, and how people at risk of suicide use the internet. The topic of advantages and dangers of suicide-related material available on social media platforms will be covered. The range and effectiveness of online and web-based crisis interventions are discussed, along with support available online for people bereaved by suicide. The text also presents existing efforts on regulation and legislation in relation to suicide-related websites and content.

Examining Gambling Issues From a Public Health Perspective

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Korn
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Gambling Behavior ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
General Adult Population ◽  
Negative Impacts

Public health has a tradition of addressing emerging and complex health matters that affect the whole population as well as specific groups. AIDS, environmental tobacco smoke and violence are examples of contemporary health concerns that have benefited from public health analysis and involvement. This article encourages the adoption of a public health perspective on gambling issues. Gambling has been studied from a number of perspectives, including economic, moral, addiction and mental health. The value of a public health viewpoint is that it examines the broad impact of gambling rather than focusing solely on problem and pathological gambling behavior in individuals. It takes into consideration the wider health, social and economic costs and benefits; it gives priority to the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged people; and it emphasizes prevention and harm reduction. This paper looks at the public health foundations of epidemiology, disease control and healthy public policy, and applies them to gambling. Major public health issues are analyzed within a North American context, including problem gambling trends amongst the general adult population and youth, and their impact on other specific populations. There is significant opportunity for public health to contribute its skills, methodologies and experience to the range of gambling issues. By understanding gambling and its potential impacts on the public's health, policy makers, health practitioners and community leaders can minimize gambling's negative impacts and optimize its benefits.

scholarly journals Air Pollution Disasters: Liability Issues in Negligence Associated With the Provision of Personal Protective Interventions (Facemasks)

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Fiona McDonald ◽  
Claire J Horwell
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Duty Of Care ◽  
Protective Mechanism ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Legal Duty

ABSTRACT Disasters may impact air quality through the generation of high levels of potentially pathogenic particulate matter (PM), for example, in a volcanic eruption. Depending on the concentrations of particles in the air, their size and composition, and the duration of exposure, high levels of PM can create significant public health issues. It has been argued that air pollution, in and of itself, is a public health crisis. One possible intervention to reduce exposure to high levels of PM during an air pollution disaster (APD) is using facemasks. However, agencies may be reluctant to recommend or distribute facemasks for community use during APDs for a variety of reasons, including concerns about liability. There has been no analysis of these concerns. This paper analyzes whether agencies may have a legal duty of care in negligence to provide warnings about the health risks associated with APDs and/or to recommend facemasks as a protective mechanism for community use to reduce exposure to PM. It is also the first to examine the potential for liability in negligence, when a decision is made to distribute facemasks for community use during an APD and the receiver alleges that they sustained a personal injury and seeks compensation.

Integrating Research Experiences Into Public Health Curricula: Effects on Undergraduate Students’ Knowledge of Neighborhood Inequalities, Perception of Research, and Motivation to Talk About Health Issues

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-118
Author(s):  
Kara Zografos ◽  
Emanuel Alcala ◽  
John Capitman ◽  
Leepao Khang
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Undergraduate Research Experiences ◽  
The Impact

Undergraduate research is defined as an inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student in collaboration with a faculty member that makes an intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline. This study assessed the impact of integrating undergraduate research experiences into public health curricula on students’ knowledge of neighborhood inequalities, perception of research, and motivation to talk about health issues. The sample consisted of 132 undergraduate students from two groups (intervention and comparison). The intervention group ( n = 71) conducted a structured social observation in various zip codes to characterize assets and liabilities of the local built environment. Self-reported questionnaires assessing the key study variables were administered to the students at baseline and at postintervention. Compared with those in the comparison group, improvements were noted in knowledge among those in the intervention group from pretest to posttest. Participants in the intervention group were also more motivated to talk about health issues compared with those in the comparison group. Perception of research among those in the intervention group also improved over time when participants were divided into two research confidence level groups (confident and nonconfident). The evaluation of this intervention demonstrates the positive impact integrating undergraduate research experiences can have on a sample of students.

scholarly journals A scorecard for local body election candidates in New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Stone
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Voter Turnout ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Local Elections ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
District Health ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
The Public

Abstract Local elections are held every 3 years in NZ for District Health Boards (DHB). The public has low capability to scrutinise candidates for their knowledge/experience in public health governance. As a result, there is low voting turn-out for elections. So, 3 PHA branches developed scorecards for 2019 candidates. Our aims addressed 3 problems: 1. How to raise public awareness about local DHB elections 2. How to engage voters and provide them with information about candidates from a public health perspective 3.Can we encourage candidates to discuss public health issues/ preventative measures publicly. We hoped to promote democracy by increasing informed voter turnout. Scorecards were based on candidates' responses to a survey with 3 dimensions: alignment with public health values; health sector governance experience; views on a specific public health issue (water fluoridation). Survey responses were scored by panels of branch members. Southern branch sent the survey to 28 DHB candidates across 2 DHBs, and 24 replied in time. Wellington branch sent it to 23 CCDHB candidates and 16 replied in time. Canterbury's response rate was just over 50%, 11 of 21 surveys were returned. We produced scorecards for results in formats for printing and sharing online. We shared them on PHA's website, social media and featured them in the e-newsletter. Each branch launched them at local Meet the DHB Candidate events where hundreds of paper copies were distributed. There was good online interest in the scorecards: 3453 previews, 287 downloads for further printing/distribution. Many candidates committed, if elected, to policy solutions presented them at our events. There was significant increase (684 in Southern, 698 in Wellington, 2006 in Canterbury) in DHB voter turnout in 2019, compared to last election with no scorecards. Not all top-scoring candidates were subsequently elected onto respective DHBs, but for Wellington and Southland all elected had high scores. Key messages PHANZ plays a role in supporting NZ democracy by filling a gap in public information about election candidates, whether they are fit for purpose when scrutinised through the public health lens. Election Scorecard are effective for raising public awareness, providing scrutiny of the candidates from a public health perspective, encouraging candidates to consider public health issues.

scholarly journals Assessing Undergraduates’ Perception of Risks Related to Body Art in Italy: The SUPeRBA Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 9233
Author(s):  
Carmela Protano ◽  
Federica Valeriani ◽  
Daniela Marotta ◽  
Annalisa Bargellini ◽  
Aida Bianco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Body Art ◽  
Academic Education ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Specific Knowledge ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Information Campaigns ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Health Complications

Tattooing and piercing may lead to health complications. The present multicenter cross-sectional study aimed to assess awareness and knowledge of health risks related to body art and to identify their possible determinants among a large sample of undergraduates in Italy. A web-based questionnaire collecting information on socio-demographic characteristics, awareness, knowledge, and some potential predictors was administered to undergraduates attending twelve Italian universities. The level of knowledge was expressed as the number of correct answers (0–11 for tattooing, 0–14 for piercing). A total of 2985 participants (mean age 23.15 ± 3.99, 73.9% F) participated in the study. Although 95.4% of the respondents were aware of possible health consequences of body art, a low level of specific knowledge was registered for both tattooing (mean number of correct answers 5.38 ± 2.39) and piercing (5.93 ± 3.12) consequences. Lower knowledge was associated with the attendance of non-life science course and with lower duration of academic education for both tattoo and piercing. Lower knowledge of tattooing risks was related with commuter status, while lower knowledge of piercing risks was associated with lower father’s education. These findings highlight the need to enhance information campaigns targeted to youths to increase their awareness of possible health risk of body art.

Public mental health: a psychiatry and public health perspective

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
J. Lyne ◽  
L. Connellan ◽  
R. Ceannt ◽  
K. O’Connor ◽  
E. Shelley
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Psychiatric Services ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Population Mental Health ◽  
And Training

Abstract Mental health issues are fast becoming one of society’s greatest health challenges with evidence of higher levels of illness and strain on psychiatric services. The reasons for this trend of increasing mental health problems across the population are complex and there is an urgent need to research and deliver effective public mental health strategies. In this perspective piece we argue that psychiatrists and public health physicians have unique knowledge and perspectives on population mental health. The development of interdisciplinary initiatives and training posts would result in clinicians with expertise to drive forward public mental health strategies. Focused and sustained advocacy and collaboration are necessary for prioritisation of public mental health on policymakers’ agendas.

scholarly journals Public Perceptions of Environmental Public Health Risks in the United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikyong Shin ◽  
Angela Werner ◽  
Heather Strosnider ◽  
Lisa Hines ◽  
Lina Balluz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Environmental Public Health

Understanding public perceptions about environmental health hazards, exposures, and health impacts can help environmental public health practitioners to target and prioritize community activities, policy needs, and communication strategies. The online cross-sectional 2013 summer wave of the ConsumerStyles survey sampled U.S. adults and used questions from the Centers for Disease Control’s Environmental Public Health Tracking Program to measure public awareness of governmental efforts to track environmental exposures and links to health impacts, as well as perceptions of environmental health issues. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regressions examined the associations between demographic characteristics and level of awareness of government environmental public health efforts or level of concern about health risks associated with environmental pollutants. Responses were received from 4033 participants, yielding a response rate of 66.0%. More than half of respondents (57.8%) noted concerns about health risks from environmental pollutants. More than one-third (40.0%) of respondents reported awareness of government efforts. Nearly 40% of respondents felt that none of the health impacts listed in the survey were related to environmental issues. Multiple logistic regression models showed that non-Hispanic blacks, other races, females, people with a college or higher education, and people living in the Midwest or South regions were more likely than their counterparts to be concerned about how the environment affects their health. Future work should focus on improving risk communication, filling the information gap on environmental health issues, and understanding how perceptions change over time.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document