Compared to vaginal deliveries, caesarean section (C-section) is a major surgery that could be associated with
higher risks of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. In Yemen, some recent reports indicated overuses of C-section.
This was a cross-sectional study aimed to assess the risk ratio difference in C-section exposure between Yemeni mothers
according to their demographic variables. A total of 400 participants of reproductive age visiting health centers for obstetric care
in the central area of the western highlands of Yemen were randomly interviewed using a pretested questionnaire. The results
found that the prevalence of C-section exposure among the study participants was 22%. Mothers’ demographic variables showed
significant differences in the risk ratio of C-section exposure. Among these variables, large differences in the risk ratio of
C-section exposure were estimated between urban versus rural (RR = 3.9, ER = 2.9, P ˂ 0.001) and literate versus illiterate
mothers (RR = 3.8, ER = 2.8, P ˂ 0.001). Relatively moderate differences were revealed by parity and maternal age variables
(RR = 2.7; ER = 1.7; P ˂ 0.001, RR = 2.6; ER = 1.6; P ˂ 0.001, respectively). Age at marriage, employment status, and visiting
health services practice, however, were associated with low differences in the C-section exposure. To strengthen the mother and
infant health programs in Yemen, maternal variables including place of residence and educational status should be considered as
predictors for either an unnecessary or additionally needed C-section.