Background: It is widely acknowledged that demographic variables have a major effect on high
fertility, which classified as five or more (≥5) births per woman. In Yemen, the association of
gender-sensitive demographic variables with high fertility is inadequately reported. Aim: This
study was aimed to investigate the independent predictors of ≥ 5 living children among Yemeni
mothers, according to their age at first marriage, residence, educational status, and occupation.
Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study of a pretested semi-structured questionnaire was
carried out among 400 mothers visiting the reproductive health centres in Dhamar governorate
during the study time. Prevalence of ≥ 5 living children were examined among the study
subjected demographic groups. Estimates of prevalence risk (PR) for predicting high fertility
were developed using Poisson regression model incorporating the robust estimator and Log link
function. Results: Outcomes of the multivariate model indicated that 10 – 14 and 15 – 19 ages at
first marriage, illiteracy, and simple literacy were confirmed as independent predictors for high
fertility level. Place of residence and occupation, however, emerged as dependent predictors.
Conclusion: Early marriage and less education are the major factors underlying high fertility
among the study population. These findings further confirm the need for serious interventions
towards the community’s attitude devastating girls’ marriage and education.