Effectiveness of Using Video Clip on Reduction of Anxiety During Venipuncture among Children in a Selected Hospital of Eastern Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Venipuncture can produce extreme anxiety to children who undergo it. Video clip as distraction is a simple technique which does not require any specific training and can be implemented by nurses, parents or other health staff members in any settings. Besides, it has a minimal cost and implies no risks for the children. This study aimed to assess the anxiety of children during venipuncture and determine the effectiveness of video clip in reducing anxiety.

Methods: A posttest only experimental research was conducted in BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Dharan Nepal including 50 school age children undergone venipuncture. Random sampling technique was applied to recruit respondents. Respondents were randomly assigned either to the experimental or control group with 25 in each. The Experimental group were shown video clip 3 minutes prior to the venipuncture till 3 minutes after completion of venipuncture while Control group had gone a routine venipuncture procedure only during  venipuncture. Pearson’s chi square test and Fisher’s exact test was used for the analysis of anxiety response of both group.

Results: Showing video clips was effective in reducing venipuncture in children (p=0.001). Among the participants, 72% had high anxiety in control group while it was 24% in experimental group. In a same way 76% had low anxiety in the experiment group while it was 28% among control group. There is a significant difference in the anxiety level between the study and control group (p=0.001).

Conclusion: This study suggests that video clip is safe and cost effective method in reduction of anxiety in children undergoing venipuncture.