A 1998 US News national study indicated that up to 10% of people under the age of 18 years had a pierce or tattoo, and 50% of the sample group wanted to obtain a pierce or tattoo. Many of these young people make the decision to engage in piercing procedures with little or no knowledge of the associated risks for Hepatitis B, C, or HIV. This presentation will provide an overview of the content and implementation strategies of a statewide campaign to educate youth between the ages of 13 and 20 years on the hidden risks of tattoos and body piercing in the State of Oregon. The goal of the educational campaign is to promote a more thoughtful decision-making process in young people and their parents prior to obtaining/consenting to a pierce or tattoo, and includes risk-reducing options for individuals who choose to obtain a pierce or tattoo.
Learning Objectives: 1) At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to discuss the elements of a public education campaign about hepatitis C in the face of uncertainties about risk factors. 2) At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to describe one educational campaign aimed to increase awareness among youth and their parents regarding the hidden risks of body piercing and tattooing.
Keywords: Hepatitis C,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.