Fear of needles--nature and prevalence in general practice.
BACKGROUND
The extent to which a fear of needles influences health decisions remains largely unexplored. This study investigated the prevalence of fear of needles in a southeast Queensland community, described associated symptoms, and highlighted health care avoidance tendencies of affected individuals.


METHODS
One hundred and seventy-seven participants attending an outer urban general practice responded to a questionnaire on fear of needles, symptoms associated with needles and its influence on their use of medical care.


RESULTS
Twenty-two percent of participants reported a fear of needles. Affected participants were more likely than participants with no fear to report vasovagal symptoms, have had a previous traumatic needle experience (46.2 vs. 16.4%, p<0.001) and avoid medical treatment involving needles (20.5 vs. 2.3%, p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Fear of needles is common and is associated with health care avoidance. Health professionals could better identify and manage patients who have a fear of needles by recognising associated vasovagal symptoms and past traumatic experiences.
Wright
Simone
S
School of Medicine, Griffith University, Logan, Queensland. simonemwright@gmail.com
Yelland
Michael
M
Heathcote
Kathy
K
Ng
Shu-Kay
SK
Wright
Garfield
G
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001364:Awareness; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D015995:Prevalence; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult