Knowledge of college girls on child health.

In Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu State in India, 384 final-year female students attending the Government College for Women completed a questionnaire so the researcher could assess their knowledge of prenatal and childhood immunizations, breast feeding, weaning, oral rehydration solution (ORS), and feeding during diarrhea. 53.2% were from an urban area, 17.9% from a semi-urban area, and 28.9% from a rural area. Most students (88.8%) did not know the purpose of prenatal immunization, yet most (71.1%) knew the correct dose for prenatal immunization and that it should be given (91.9%). 92.4% answered incorrectly about childhood immunizations. Yet most (88.8%) knew that childhood immunizations were supposed to be administered. Only 5.7% knew the purpose and doses of these immunizations. The students tended not to know the common terms for the vaccine preventable diseases. All the students knew that breast feeding is good. Most students (72.9%) knew that breast feeding has a great nutritive value and that it prevents common infections. 79.7% knew that weaning should begin before the infant is 6 months old. 68.2% were familiar with the inexpensive, nutritive, locally available weaning foods. 82.4% were familiar with ORS. 37% knew that continued feeding during diarrhea is desirable. 32.8% wanted to withhold food during diarrhea. Even though the questions were based on the message spread via mass media (especially TV), the overall level of awareness on child health was poor. These findings suggest the need for child health education directed towards the public and in colleges.