SUMMARY
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study was to compare the levels of pain developed during intramuscular injections to the laterofemoral and ventrogluteal regions in children.
METHODS:
The study population consisted of all children aged between 7 and 12 years who presented to the pediatric emergency clinic of a hospital. The sample consisted of 62 children who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study, and the children were randomly assigned to each group (laterofemoral n=31, ventrogluteal n=31). “Buzzy” and “deep breathing” were applied to children in both groups to relieve pain during the procedure. The data were obtained using an Information Form, a visual analog scale, and the Facial Pain Scale-Revised.
RESULTS:
It was determined that the children in the ventrogluteal group during the intramuscular injections had lower visual analog scale and faces pain scale-revised scores immediately after the procedure compared with the vastus lateralis group, that is, they experienced less pain, and the difference between the two groups was significant (p<0.001).
CONCLUSION:
In children, it is recommended to choose the less painful ventrogluteal region for intramuscular injection and to inform health professionals about it.
KEYWORDS:
Pain; Child; Nurses; Injections, intramuscular
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