SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Intramuscular Injection Practices Among Infants

Administration of unnecessary Intramuscular (IM) Injections to infants for trivial illness is a common problem. This descriptive study included 120 infants who received at least one IM injection for their current illness. Data were collected using semi structured questionnaire to their mothers. 91 % of infants received unnecessary IM injections for minor problems like upper respiratory tract infection. IM injections were administered at the wrong site in 97 % of the infants. Information regarding IM injections was inadequate in mothers. Intensive health education regarding safe injection practices for the public and health care providers is essential. Key words: Infants, Intramuscular Injections. MOST of the common ailments among infantscan be managed with oral medications. However, administration of intramuscular (IM) injections for these minor problems is quite rampant. The combination of injection overuse and unsafe practices increases the risk of transmission of pathogens and local complications like abscess and nerve injury. We conducted this study to describe the prevalent IM injection practices among infants