الفهرس 
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Abstract
Family planning refers to the use of modern contraceptives or natural techniques for either limiting or spacing pregnancies. Male and female sterilization, pills, Intrauterine Device (IUDs), injectables, implants, male and female condoms, diaphragm and emergency contraception are modern methods of contraception. Whereas, traditional methods include periodic abstinence and withdrawal methods.
The increasing growth of population has become an urgent problem in Egypt. Family planning is defined by WHO as a way of thinking and living that is adopted voluntarily, upon the basis of knowledge, attitudes and responsible decisions by individuals and couples, in order to promote the health and welfare of family groups and thus contribute effectively to the social development of a country.
This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study among married women in childbearing period (18 - 49 years) in Minia District. A total of 1212 women were recruited; 638 women from Eastern Family Health Center and 574 women from Demsheer Health Unit during the period from June to December 2015 after taking a verbal consent.
An interview questionnaire was made and included: sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, their knowledge, attitudes, practice towards family planning and family planning services.
The main source of knowledge of family planning methods in urban women was family members (52%), however (47%) of rural women had their knowledge from medical source. It was found that (80%) of urban women knew the three main methods of contraceptives (pills, IUD and injectables) and (77%) of rural women did so.
Regarding to emergency contraceptives, (93%) of urban women and (96%) of rural women didn’t hear about it. About (88%) of urban women knew about sexually transmitted diseases in comparison to (63%) for rural women these difference were statistically significant.
There were more traditional wrong beliefs and rumors about family planning among rural women than urban women. There was a significant difference between urban and rural women as regard knowledge score; (59%) of urban women had fair knowledge compared to (73%) of rural women, while (35%) of urban women compared to (22%) of rural women had good knowledge.
Regarding to family planning discussion with their husbands, (79%) of rural women and (84%) of urban women had positive attitude. In rural area most of women (61%) shamed to discuss family planning with unmarried girls while in urban area (40%) of women did so.
There was no significant difference between urban and rural women regarding to their attitude towards current using contraceptive methods as (81%) of urban women compared to (79%) of rural women used methods in spite of problems. As regard the attitude towards being investigated or discussing family planning with a male physician (62%) of urban women had positive attitude and (52%) of rural women did so.
The percentage of contraceptives usage was (94%) among urban women and (90%) among rural women. The most commonly used method was oral pills for urban women and injectables for rural women. Seeking for pregnancy was the main reason for not using any contraceptive (66%) and (52%) for urban and rural women, respectively.