EFFECTIVENESS OF ORAL DEXTROSE 10% IN REDUCING PAIN DURING DPT VACCINATION AMONG CHILDREN 16-24 MONTHS AT S.V.B.P HOSPITAL, MEERUT

Abstract

Introduction: Pain during routine childhood vaccination is a common but often undertreated problem that can lead to fear, anxiety, and poor cooperation during future immunization visits. Simple, safe, and cost-effective non pharmacological interventions are needed to minimize vaccination-related pain. Oral dextrose has been reported to provide analgesic effects during brief painful procedures. However, evidence regarding the effectiveness of 10% oral dextrose in children aged 16–24 months during DPT vaccination is limited. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of oral dextrose 10% in reducing pain during DPT vaccination. Objectives of the Study • To assess the level of pain using the FLACC scale during DPT vaccination among children who receive and who do not receive oral dextrose 10%. • To find the effectiveness of oral dextrose 10% administration in reducing pain level of children during DPT vaccination. • To find the association between the level of pain and selected demographic variables among children. Methodology: A quantitative research approach with a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent post-test only research design was adopted. The study was conducted in the Immunization OPD of S.V.B.P. Hospital, Meerut. A total of 60 children aged 16–24 months were selected using a non-probability purposive sampling technique and equally allocated into an experimental group (n=30) and a control group (n=30). The experimental group received 2 mL of oral dextrose 10% two minutes before DPT vaccination, whereas the control group received routine care only. Pain was assessed immediately during vaccination using the FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) Behavioural Pain Scale. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (independent t-test and Chi-square test). Results: The findings revealed that 63.3% of children in the experimental group experienced moderate pain, 26.7% mild pain, and 10.0% severe pain, whereas in the control group 60.0% experienced moderate pain, 6.7% mild pain, and 33.3% severe pain. The mean FLACC pain score was 4.53 ± 1.68 in the experimental group and 6.40 ± 1.55 in the control group. The difference was statistically highly significant (t = 4.4802, p = 0.0001), indicating that oral dextrose 10% effectively reduced pain during DPT vaccination. No significant association was found between pain level and demographic variables in the experimental group, while gender and birth weight showed significant association with pain level in the control group. Conclusion: The study concluded that administration of oral dextrose 10% two minutes before DPT vaccination is a safe, simple, effective, and child-friendly non-pharmacological intervention for reducing procedural pain among children aged 16–24 months. Incorporating oral dextrose into routine immunization practice may improve children's vaccination experience and support quality nursing care in immunization settings.