Stefan Nilsson1, Maria Forsner1, Berit Finnstrm1, Evalotte Mrelius1
1)Sweden
Fear related to needle procedures are common in childhood and vaccinations are the most commonly experienced needle related procedure during childhood. Distraction has been found to reduce procedural pain and anxiety and Guided Imagery helps children to concentrate on happy thoughts instead of discomfort. The aim of this study was to illuminate how 11 to 12 year old girls’ narrate about their experience with Relaxation and Guided Imagery (R-GI) during HPV vaccination. Thirty-five girls aged 11-12 years who had accepted HPV vaccination participated with short written narratives and these were submitted to qualitative content analysis. Some girls told they were distracted from the injection and felt comfortable but others told about difficulties in concentrating on the fantasy. Some girls mentioned that they nearly didn’t notice the injection but others told it hurt anyway. To some of the girls who reported needle fear GI was a great help, but others told they managed better by themselves. In conclusion GI is appreciated by some girls 11-12 years but others seem to have own coping strategies.
