Longitudinal study of the frequency of body modifications, attitudes towards them and knowledge about the complications of such procedures among pharmacy students

Abstract

Abstract Body modifications consist in changing the appearance. They gain more and more popularity. The most popular forms of body modification are tattooing and piercing. The aim of the study is a longitudinal assessment of the prevalence of body modifications in the form of tattoos and piercings among students of pharmacy at the Medical University of Lublin and their knowledge about the possible complications of such interventions. The study was conducted using a validated questionnaire. The study with the participation of first-year pharmacy students was conducted in 2017, and with the participation of sixth-year pharmacy students in 2022. Participation in the study was voluntary and anonymous. The respondents approved the modification in the form of piercings in the ears to the greatest extent, and invasive body modifications to the least extent. The percentage of people having body modifications has not changed significantly over time, but their awareness of the possible complications of such procedures has increased. Piercings and tattoos, in the opinion of pharmacy students, are not stigmatizing. The knowledge of future pharmacists about the possible complications of piercing and tattooing increases with the duration of their studies.