RESUMEN
Premarital counseling [PMC] is a necessity to maintain healthy marriage and reproductive performance. To assess knowledge and attitude of Egyptian youth towards PMC as well as their preferences and concerns; a household survey on a multi-center multistage random sample of 1200 Egyptian youth aged from 16 to 25 years of both sexes [45.3% males and 54.7%females] was conducted on four governorates that represent upper Egypt [Assuit], lower Egypt [Dakahlia and Damietta] and Sues Canal governorates [Ismailha]. The results revealed that 77.5% of the total sample heard before about PMC; of them 73.4% knew well its objectives. The majority [93.4%] knew that PMC is targeted for both males and females; Assuit recorded the highest percentage [97.2%]. Mass media was the main source of knowledge [48%]. It was also found that 75.1% of studied youth accept to do PMC, 37.4% agree on compulsory implementation and70.4% direct others to do PMC. Presence of hereditary diseases or STDs was the leading cause to cancel marriage [92.7%and 91.8% respectively]. Educational level was the single most powerful determinant of PMC knowledge and attitude [F=42.08]. In addition, it was ascertained that 34.9% of youth prefer providing PMC through specialized centers. Accuracy was the main reason for their preferences [recorded for 55.1%]. 80 we can conclude that Egyptian youth are not against PMC; but more efforts are required to strength it