Vol. 8, Issue 9, Part C (2022)

Introduction: Children are vulnerable to all kinds of illness. Illness and hospitalization are the first crisis that children face. Venipuncture is one of the most painful invasive procedures. Distraction has shown to be an effective non-pharmacological pain management technique.

Aim: The study was intended to assess the effectiveness of conventional methods along with balloon inflation vs conventional methods only in reduction of pain and fear during venipuncture in children age group of 5-12 years admitted in pediatric wards of GGSMC&H, Faridkot, Punjab.

Methods: A quantitative research approach and experimental research design was used to conduct the study. Total 80 patients (5-12 years) were selected who were admitted in the pediatric wards on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly allocated into experimental and conventional group through computerized block design method. Socio demographic data sheet was used to collect baseline information, Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale and Children’s Fear Scale were used to assess the pain and fear level.

Results: Study found that the median of pain score in experimental group was 8 in conventional group was 10. Median of fear score in experimental group was 3 and in conventional group was 4. Mann-Whitney U test was applied for statistical analysis and p value was <0.001 which was statistically highly significant.

Conclusions: This study concluded that conventional methods along with balloon inflation was effective as a non-pharmacological method of reduction/management of pain and fear during venipuncture.