Abstract

DIAZ MARTINEZ, LA et al. Prevalence of the removal of pubic hair in Colombia. Rev. argent. dermatol. [online]. 2016, vol.97, n.2, pp.16-23. ISSN 1851-300X.

Introduction and Objectives: genital hair shaving is a common practice in western countries for hygienic, aesthetic or erotic reasons. The aim was to establish the prevalence of genital hair removal and to see if there are differences in the practice by sex, age, body mass index or manner of violent death. Methodology: cross sectional study of 1964 necropsy reports performed in the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences at Bucaramanga during 2010 to 2013 in >9 years-old people died from trauma or violence. Results: 304 (15.5%) women and 1660 (84.5%) men were evaluated. The adjusted prevalence of genital hair removal for men (31.1%; 95%CI 24.8% to 38.1%) is lower than that presented women (57.9%, 95%CI 43.7% to 70.8%; p <0.001), with higher prevalence in the younger age groups: 35 (95% CI 16-77) times higher among adolescents than >70 years people, in people die in transit accidents (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.15), and in >50 thousands in-habitants cities (OR 1.22, 95% CI 14.07 to 1.99). There are no differences in the prevalence of hair removal according to BMI. Conclusions: this study is a first approach to establish population prevalence of genital hair removal in Colombia. We found that this practice is more common among young people and women, which note that this one is directly related to the current culture practices.

Keywords : Hair removal; Whole body imagen.