15 Knowledge of and attitudes.pmd

1Health Education Department, Faculty of Health, Baghyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. Received: 24/04/02; accepted: 10/12/02 ABSTRACT A cross-sectional study was carried out on knowledge of and attitudes to family planning in male teachers working in the education system in Teheran. We found that 65% of the study population had acceptable knowledge regarding the issue. More than 95% of respondents reported having a favourable attitude towards the implementation of family planning programmes and about 90% believed that decisionmaking regarding use of contraceptives should be a joint process. To improve the planning and administration of family planning programmes, the main variables identified in this study should be further investigated in different population groups. Addressing men in family planning programmes may improve their success and lead to increased contraceptive use.