Paediatric Intramuscular Injections for Developing World Settings: A Review of the Literature for Best Practices

This article examines the available evidence about intramuscular injection techniques to generate simple evidence-based or best practice guidelines for implementation in the developing world. Giving intramuscular injections is considered a core nursing skill, and millions are performed around the world every day. Intramuscular injections are more commonly used in resource-poor environments, but there is limited education of nurses on its proper administration. The findings in the literature conclude that the vastus lateralis muscle is the preferred site for intramuscular injections, particularly in resource-poor settings. © 2012, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.