ABSTRACT

Objective:

Special Study Modules were firstly introduced five years ago at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine. The learning of basic concepts related with the skin and skin decorative arts, scientific presentations, informational society brochure were aimed in skin decorative arts such as tattoos and piercing, special study module.

Methods:

Four students admitted special study module opened in 2008-2009 academic year and 7 students in 2009-2010. Students organized a questionnaire to reveal the need for information on the subject. A questionnaire for tattoo and piercing were applied to students of Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Fine Arts and the Faculty of Education. Presentation was performed in accordance with the requirements revealed by the questionnaire form and prepared leaflets were distributed to the students.

Results:

The prevalence of tattooing and body piercing was 12.3% in all students (n=154). 47.6% (n=10) for only tattoo, 42.9% (n=9) for only piercing, 9.6% (n=2) for both tattoo and piercing). Of the Medical Faculty students, 6.3% reported having both piercing and tattoo; 10.5% of the Faculty of Education students reported having both tattoo and piercing and 25.5% of the Faculty of Fine Arts students reported having both piercing and tattoo. Students of Medical Faculty gave more correct answers about the information of tattoo and piercing. Fine Arts students enjoyed getting tattoo and piercing more than other students and they applied these procedures at the maximum rate. Information levels about complications after the procedures were not adequate among the subjects practiced these applications.

Conclusion:

Our study emphasized the necessity of the studies for informing individuals about the art of skin decoration.