Comparison of the effect of intramuscular injection from two different sites on pain and fear in children: a randomized controlled study.

Objective: This study aims to compare vastus lateralis and ventrogluteal site utilizations concerning pain and fear in intramuscular injection in children between 4 and 6 years of age.

Methods: A randomized trial design was utilized in this study. Groups were randomly assigned as ventrogluteal (n=43) and vastus lateralis (n=40). Children in both groups were compared before, during, and after the procedure using the Children's Fear Scale and the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale. Crying time was measured using a stopwatch during the procedure.

Results: While the mean Children's Fear Scale total scores of the children in the ventrogluteal group were similar before the procedure, the mean Children's Fear Scale total scores during and after the procedure were significantly lower than the children in the vastus lateralis group. Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale mean scores were significantly lower in the ventrogluteal group. The mean crying time of the children in the ventrogluteal group was significantly lesser than those in the vastus lateralis group (p=0.000).

Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the choice of the ventrogluteal site in intramuscular injection in children between 4 and 6 years of age was effective in reducing pain, fear, and crying time.