Quaranta et al. BMC Public Health 2011, 11:774 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/774 declared that they live in one of Apulia’s five main towns (Bari, Brindisi, Lecce, Taranto, Foggia), while 1.266 (79.2%) lived in smaller municipalities. With regard to the profession of the father, the sample showed the following distribution: 60 (3.8%) unem- ployed, 442 (27.7%) low/unskilled worker, 667 (41.7%) semi-skilled, 429 (26.8%) skilled. With regard to the mother’s occupations, the sample showed the following distribution: 112 (7.0%) unemployed, 870 (54.4%) low/ unskilled worker, 513 (32.1%) semi-skilled, 103 (6.4%) skilled. Of the 1.598 included in the analysis, 78.3% believe it is risky to undergo piercing/tattoo practices, 12.3% con- sider it not risky to undergo these practices and 9.4% don’t know if it is risky or not (Table 1). In particular, with regard to infectious diseases, AIDS is indicated as possible infection by 60.3% of the whole sample included in the analysis (52.6%, 58.4% and 69.9% of the freshmen coming from humanistic, scientific and healthcare faculties respectively), hepatitis C by 38.2% (27.4%, 39.5% and 47.8% from humanistic, scientific and healthcare faculties respectively), tetanus by 34.3% (32.0%, 31.8% and 39.1% from humanistic, scientific and healthcare faculties respectively) and hepatitis B by 33.7% (23.5%, 32.7%, 45.0% from humanistic, scientific and healthcare faculties respectively). Significant differences were showed in the data distri- bution when comparing freshmen from healthcare facul- ties vs those from the other two sectors: AIDS (c2 = 30.4; p < 0.001), hepatitis C (c2 = 30.61; p < 0.001), hepatitis B (c2 = 72.75; p < 0.001), tetanus (c2 = 7.90 p < 0.01). Furthermore, 28.1% of the 1.598 freshmen were not aware that there are also non-infectious complications (allergies, scars, bleeding, etc.). Of the 1.598 sample, 1.416 (88.6%) stated that the piercing is not a permanent practice and among those 92.1% think that the elimination of the piercing from Page 3 of 8 the site of insertion leads to spontaneous closure of the insertion. Of the 1.598 sample, 1.395 (87.3%) stated that it is possible to remove the tattoo, among those 59.9% by surgery (including laser surgery), 34.8% by subcutaneous aspiration of the ink, 5.2% by subcutaneous washing. Of the 1.598 freshmen, 463 (29%) have at least one piercing or tattoo. Of those, 101 were male (21.8%) and 362 were female (78.2%) with a proportion M/F of 1:3.6. The difference between male (101 with body art/508 total male) and female (362 with body art/1090 total female) was statistically significant. (c2 = 29.27; p < 0.001). Of the 463 young adults who underwent body art, 96 freshmen (20.7%) confirmed that they have both pier- cing and tattoos. Young adults belonging to humanistic faculties are more inclined than those belonging to healthcare and scientific faculties to undergo body art (c2 = 19.67; p < 0.001); in particular 195/540 (36.1%) freshmen from humanistic faculties underwent body art vs 136/529 (25.7%) freshmen from the healthcare faculties and 132/ 529 (25%) from the scientific faculties. 74% of freshmen having body art were informed about the risks related to such practices before doing it (Table 2). The information came from the body artist (52%), another person (29.3%), reading the informed consent (18.7%). The decision to undergo body art was taken autono- mously in 57.9% and asking the advice of someone in 42.1%. 56.3% of freshmen undergoing body art took less than a month to decide, 22.5% one to six months, 21.2% more than six months. With regard to the reasons that led the sample to undergo body art: to improve their aesthetic aspect (23.8%), to distinguish themselves from others (18.4%), for fashion (12.3%); 17.1% for other rea- sons; 28.4% of the interviewed was unable to give a rea- son (Figure 1). Table 1 Answers to questions about young adults’ knowledge on health risks Questions Is it risky undergoing piercing/tattooing? Can tattoos and piercing transmit infectious disease? Can tattoos and piercing transmit non-infectious disease? Are the places and instruments used for body art always safe in terms of health and hygiene? Is it possible to remove the tattoo? Is the piercing a permanent practice? Yes N° (%) No N° (%) 1.251 (78.3%) 1.440 (90.1%) 1.040 (65.1%) 1.395 (87.3%) 1.416 (88.6%) 114 (7.1%) 197 (12.3%) 48 (3.0%) 109 (6.8%) 1.315 (82.3%) 107 (6.7%) 62 (3.9%) Do not Know N° (%) 150 (9.4%) 110 (6.9%) 449 (28.1%) 169 (10.6%) 96 (6.0%) 120 (7.5%) Tot N ° 1.598 1.598 1.598 1.598 1.598 1.598