Practice ForumBody piercing as a risk factor for viral hepatitis: An integrative research review*
Section snippets
Sampling and methods
All of the research studies in this review were completed between the years 1974 and 1997. Four of the 12 studies were conducted in Italy by the same investigator.7, 8, 9, 19 Three studies were done in the United States,5, 11, 12 2 in Taiwan,20, 21 and 1 each in Africa,6 Korea,22 and Bangkok.10
All 12 studies were nonexperimental designs that used interviews and questionnaires for data collection. Many of the interviews were performed by public health officials, physicians, or study teams.7, 8, 9
Analysis
Ear piercing was significantly associated with hepatitis in 6 of the research studies,5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12 3 of which were conducted in the United States.5, 11, 12 Two studies found percutaneous exposure, which included body piercing, to be a risk factor for hepatitis infection.7, 8
Four of the research studies did not find body piercing to be a risk factor for hepatitis infection.20, 21, 22 Those studies had smaller sample sizes. Two studies did identify injection with nondisposable needles as a
Discussion
Despite the limited amount of research regarding body piercing as a risk factor for viral hepatitis, data are sufficient to conclude that it is a risk for the spread of this disease. The CDC has published several documents regarding the risk of hepatitis and HIV infection related to body piercing.1, 2, 3, 4 Legislative efforts to regulate the body piercing industry have recently increased.13 The National Environmental Health Association developed a Body Art Model Code and Guideline in December
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2012, Journal of the Formosan Medical AssociationCitation Excerpt :Common sites of piercing include ears, eyebrows, lips, navel, nipples, genitalia, nose, tongue, and other parts of the oral mucosa. As in the case of tattooing, body piercing can be associated with transmission of bloodborne pathogens.63–65 Local inoculation of pathogens has likewise resulted in the transmission of tuberculosis (lupus vulgaris) and tetanus.66,67
Squamous cell carcinoma and piercing of the tongue - A case report
2012, Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery
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