ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SKIN TATTOOS AND HEPATITIS B OF 1/2000 PRIVATES AT ADISORN FORT HOSPITAL IN SARABURI, THAILAND

Abstract

The objectives of this study were (1) to determine whether there is association between skin tattoos, Hepatitis-B and prisons, (2) to investigate risk behaviors for Hepatitis-B and (3) to describe characteristics of person who have tattoos. Methods. This retrospective study consisted of a self-administered survey, and an ELISA blood test for viral hepatitis B. The study sample consisted of all 1/2001 privates at Adisorn Fort Hospital Saraburi who had tattoos (n1=46) and simple random sampling of another group of 46 volunteer privates who did not have tattoos. All privates (N = 92) were male, age 22.88; 1.41 years, 67 (72.8%) had graduated from elementary and high school, 29 were positive for Hepatitis-B antibodies (31.5%), 41 (44.6%) had sex with prostitutes, 3 (3.3%) did not use condom, 4 (4.3%) shared razors, 1 (1.1%) shared needles, 25 (27.2%) had been in jail, 87 (94.6%) drank alcohol, 43 (46.7%) had used amphetamines. 20 (28.6%) had tattoos on 2 arms. 10 (14.3%) had tattoo on their back, 9 (19.6%) obtained their tattoos while in prison, 15 (32.6%) had a tattoo that was greater than 20% of the body’s surface area. There was an association between skin tattoo and Hepatitis B (Chi Square, p