Family planning programs have emerged as one of the most successful public health interventions of the 20th century, significantly improving maternal and child health outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and patterns of contraceptive use in Bani-Talib village, Assiut governorate, and to identify barriers to family planning method utilization. Conducted as part of a baseline survey by the Ministry of Health and Population in 2010, this cross-sectional study included all married women aged 15-49 in the village. Data were collected through structured questionnaires addressing demographic information and contraceptive practices. Ethical approval was obtained, and data were analyzed using SPSS. The mean age of participants was 30.38 years, with an illiteracy rate of 63.8% and only 4.6% employed. The prevalence of contraceptive use was 46%, with 36.9% never having used any method. The most commonly used contraceptive method was the intrauterine device (IUD) at 40.4%, followed by injectables (32%) and oral contraceptive pills (22.1%). Major barriers to contraceptive use included newly married status (34.9%), cost (24.8%), and concerns about infertility (20.2%). The findings revealed no significant differences in contraceptive use related to education, employment status, or number of children, but age was significantly associated with usage patterns. The results highlight the need for targeted interventions to address barriers to contraceptive use and increase awareness of family planning among men. Future studies should further explore family planning utilization patterns in urban versus rural settings in Egypt. Enhanced training for healthcare providers is also recommended to improve family planning service delivery in rural communities.
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