A PRE EXPERIMENTAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PLAY MATERIALS AS A DIVERSIONAL THERAPY AMONG THE TODDLERS DURING INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION IN A SELECTED HOSPITAL, AGARTALA, WEST TRIPURA

Introduction:Injections of any kind can hurt; children know that pain is predictable. Preparation for an intramuscular injection should be done just before giving the injection, so that children do not have time to build up their anxieties about the procedure. Almost any form of play can be used for diversion and recreation, but the activity should be selected on the basis of the child's age, interests and limitations. Methodology: This study was based on Johnson's Behavioral System Model. The study adopted a pre-experimental research approach. Sampling technique:-Non-probability purposive sampling technique Sample:- 60 toddlers, 30 each in experimental (Group I) and control group (Group II). Result:- The mean (19.63), mean % (93.49), median(20), mode(20) of experimental group was signicantly higher than the mean(8.43), mean %(40.14) , median(8), mode(8) of control group. But SD of experimental group (0.85) was little despaired from the control group(0.86) & mean difference was 11.2. Unpaired 't' test computed between the control group and experimental group, & the 't' value (50.773) statistically found to be signicant ('t'58 -2.02 , p>0.05). Hence, the null hypothesis was rejected and research hypothesis was accepted. So, it established that play materials were effective divertional therapy in terms of gaining scores in behaviour. Which indicate play therapy was effective. Conclusion: From the ndings of the present study it can be concluded that the play materials are effective divertional therapy during intramuscular injection.