Abstract
The cross-sectional study investigated the social and cultural predictors of tattooing among athletes of Federal Universities in Nigeria. Data was collected from a sample of 594 athletes using a validated structured questionnaire with a reliability index of 0.77. . Data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Multiple regression and logistic regression were used to establish the joint and independent predictors of tattooing among the athletes. The findings of the study revealed that peer influence (P=0.003), family influence (P=0.000), personal achievement (P=0.006) and academic background (P=0.000) were significant social predictors of tattooing among the athletes. Traditional (P=0.000) and religious beliefs (P=0.000) were also found to be significant cultural predictors of tattooing among the athletes. It was concluded based on the findings that the practice of tattooing among Nigerian University athletes followed similar social influence pattern as in other parts of the world. Social marketing was recommended as a veritable tool for health education and communication to enhance informed decisions regarding tattooing among the athletes.
Highlights
Tattooing has become increasingly popular especially among athletes and people in the entertainment industry
Tattoo which is a form of cosmetics used to modify the body by injecting ink into the dermal area of the skin [1] is not new in Nigeria
OF FINDINGS The finding that peer group influence is a significant predictor of tattooing among athletes in Federal Universities south-south, Nigeria is expected because majority of athletes are young persons and one of the characteristics of young persons is that they are influenced by their peers
Summary
Tattooing has become increasingly popular especially among athletes and people in the entertainment industry. Tattoo which is a form of cosmetics used to modify the body by injecting ink into the dermal area of the skin [1] is not new in Nigeria. Traditional tattoo dates back to the pre-colonial days when it existed as tribal marks which served as symbols of identification for members of a particular religious or cultural group, or legitimate family member. During the TansAtlantic slave trade, slaves were marked with tattoos to prevent them from being rescued, increasing the use of tattoo at that time [2]. Other reasons for marking were tribal clan wars, beauty, witchcraft, and superstitious belief [3]. Tattoo was performed deliberately for some cultural, religious/spiritual or sentimental reasons
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