Family planning is the planning of when to have children, and the use of birth control and other techniques

to implement such plans. Other techniques commonly used include sexuality education, prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections, preconception counseling and management, and infertility management. Family planning is sometimes used as a synonym for the use of birth control, however, it often includes a wide variety of methods, and practices that are not birth control. It is most usually applied to a female-male couple who wish to limit the number of children they have and to control the timing of pregnancy (also known as spacing children). Family planning may encompass sterilization, as well as abortion. The Beginning of the National Family Planning Program in Malaysia Prior to 1966, family planning services in Malaysia were provided by the various state Family Planning Associations, and the services were largely confined to large urban centres. Findings from the 1966 West Malaysia Family Survey conducted in Peninsular Malaysia reported a contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) at merely 8.8 percent. With the launching of the National Planning Program in conjunction with the First Malaysia Plan in 1966, family planning became an official policy. The programme was aimed at improving maternal and child health and decelerating the rate of population growth from 3% in 1966 to 2% in 1985 by setting targets to increase the number of family planning acceptors (Noor Laily, et. al, 1982). The National Family Planning Board was established to plan, execute and coordinate all family planning activities in the country. The program began with the provision of clinical contraceptive services mainly in the urban areas. Subsequently, the National Program was expanded to the rural areas through the integration of family planning with primary health care services of the Ministry of Health in the early 1970s.

Benefits of good family planning Family planning reduces health risks to women and gives them more control over their reproductive lives. With better health and greater control over their lives, women can take advantage of education, employment and civic opportunities. Families with fewer children are often able to send those children to school so girls get a chance to attain higher education, and as an outcome, the age of their first marriage is often later and their years of fertility reduced. They also benefit from being an employee. In addition, it is not difficult for parents to clothe and feed their children if they can limit their family size. The expenses that they need to care for a small-sized family will be less, so they can save more and be self-sufficient. With regard to social services, both the government and the family invest less if the family and population size is small. This can help save essential resources and thereby contribute to the economic growth of the nation as a whole. Together with other health services, such as diarrhea and pneumonia management, the nutrition programme and the expanded programme on immunization, family planning directly contributes to the improvement of childrens health and growth. It also indirectly contributes to childrens wellbeing and development by improving maternal health. Adequately spaced children can be well-fed and healthier than closely spaced children. Mothers can have ample time and good health to care for their children. Parents should be able to seek healthcare for them without being constrained. Thus, having a larger proportion of well-educated, healthy, productive and self-sufficient families can contribute a great deal to the sustainable development of a country. In this regard, the social and economic benefits of the family are essential.