Assessing Infection Risks among Clients and Staff Who Use Tattooing Services in Poland: An Observational Study

Anita Gębska-Kuczerowska, Izabela Kucharska, Agnieszka Segiet-Swiecicka, Marcin Kuczerowski and Robert Gajda
Additional contact information
Anita Gębska-Kuczerowska: Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Kazimierza Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland
Izabela Kucharska: Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, Targowa 65, 03-729 Warsaw, Poland
Agnieszka Segiet-Swiecicka: Faculty and Department of Experimental Physiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
Marcin Kuczerowski: Hospital Praski, Aleja Solidarności 67, 03-401 Warsaw, Poland
Robert Gajda: Gajda-Med Medical Center, ul. Piotra Skargi 23/29, 06-100 Pułtusk, Poland

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-11

Abstract: Across cultures and generations, people have tattooed their bodies. Although blood-borne infections from tattooing have been reduced, certain service aspects remain improperly managed. We assessed the infection risks associated with tattooing by conducting a cross-sectional study (2013–2014) in Poland using an anonymous questionnaire survey. Scoring procedures for blood-borne infection risks for tattooists and their clients were used. Overall, 255 tattooists were interviewed. A quasi-random selection of tattoo parlors was based on a service register. Knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding blood-borne infection risks were assessed using a questionnaire. Simultaneously, tattoo centers were audited. Tattooing had a higher infection risk for tattooists than for clients. Approximately 50% of respondents underwent training on postexposure procedures, which constituted almost one in five of the reported needlestick/cut injuries sustained while working. Furthermore, 25.8% had no knowledge regarding risk from reliable sources, and 2.1% had not broadened their knowledge. Tattooists and their clients are at a risk of infection, and knowledge concerning infection risks remains an underestimated preventative factor. Service quality surveillance and creation of a register for tattoo-related complications may help assess the scale of this public health issue. However, a lack of these records implies the challenges in developing effective organizational and legal protections.

Keywords: tattoo; infection risk; blood-borne infection; needlestick injury; Poland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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