Intramuscular injection practices among infants.
Administration of unnecessary Intramuscular (i.m.) Injections to infants for trivial illness is a common problem. This descriptive study included 120 infants who received at least one i.m. injection for their current illness. Data were collected using semi structured questionnaire to their mothers. 91% of infants received unnecessary i.m. injections for minor problems like upper respiratory tract infection. I.m. injections were administered at the wrong site in 97% of the infants. Information regarding i.m. injections was inadequate in mothers. Intensive health education regarding safe injection practices for the public and health care providers is essential.
Department of Pediatrics, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pondicherry 607 402, India.
D
D
Gunasekaran
B
B
Adhisivam
A
A
Arulkumaran
A K
AK
Shanthi
D005260:Female; D006300:Health Services Misuse; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007223:Infant; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D019300:Medical Errors