Pain management in infant immunisation: A cross-sectional survey of UK primary care nurses

Abstract

Background: Childhood immunisation is a critically important public health initiative. However, since most vaccines are administered by injection, it is associated with considerable pain and distress. Despite evidence demonstrating the efficacy of various pain management strategies, the frequency with which these are used during routine infant vaccinations in UK practice is unknown. Aim: This study aimed to explore primary care practice nurses' (PNs) use of evidence-based pain management strategies during infant immunisation, as well as barriers to evidence-based practice. Methods: A questionnaire was developed and distributed to nurses throughout the UK via convenience sampling in paper and online formats. Questions assessed the frequency of pain management intervention use during infant immunisation and barriers to their use. Findings: A total of 255 questionnaire responses were received. Over 90% (n=226) of respondents never used topical anaesthetics or sweet solutions during immunisations, while 41.9% advised breastfeeding occasionally (n=103). Parent-/caregiver-led distraction was the most frequently used intervention, with most nurses using it occasionally (47.9%, n=116) or often (30.6%, n=74). Most practices had no immunisation pain management policy (81.1%, n=184), and most PNs' previous training had not included pain management (86.9%, n=186). Barriers to intervention use included lack of time, knowledge and resources. Excluding distraction, pain management strategies were infrequently or never used during infant immunisation. Key barriers to using evidence-based strategies were lack of time, knowledge and resources.