To compare the impact of sitting and supine position on behavioral distress during immunization among children (1-3 years) in selected immunization clinics

Background of the study: Immunizations cause distress in children due to its acute pain. Younger children are particularly in need of intervention because they report more pain and display more behavioral distress during painful procedures. One of the effective non-pharmacological interventions of acute management is comfort position given by the parent. Comfort position provided by the parent during immunizations has been demonstrated to be useful in infants, toddlers and pre-school children. Yet, this simple intervention is not used on a routine basis. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the impact of sitting and supine position on behavioral distress during immunization among children (1-3 years) in selected immunization clinics. Objectives of the study: To determine the impact of sitting position on behavioral distress of children receiving immunization (Group I - experimental group). 1. To determine the impact of supine position on behavioral distress of children receiving immunization (Group II - control group). 2. To compare the impact of sitting and supine position on behavioral distress of children during immunization. Methods: The research design adopted for the study was post test only control group design. Immunization clinic selected based on the convenience of the investigator. Purposive sampling technique used to select the sample and the sample were assigned randomly in to Group I(experimental group) and Group II(control group).To assess the impact of position: PBRS-R was used to assess the behavioral distress of children during immunization injection. Results: The collected data was analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. 1. Assessment of behavioral distress scores during immunization injection showed significant difference in mean scores in Group I (16.4±2.30) and in Group II (28.45±2.59). 2. Comparison of behavioral distress scores in Group I and Group II showed that there is a significant difference (p<0.05) in behavioral distress between experimental (Group I) and control (Group II) group. 3. Item wise comparison of behavioral distress scores in Group I and Group II showed that there is no significant difference(p<0.05) in behavioral distress between experimental (Group I) and control (Group II) group. Interpretation and conclusion: Findings of the study revealed that the comfort position, i.e., sitting position was effective in reducing behavioral distress during immunisation. Hence, paediatric nurses ought to promote the use of comfort position to reduce behavioral distress associated with painful procedure.