Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Pattern and correlates of out -of-pocket payment (OOP) on female ster ilization in India, 
1990 -2014.  
 
Version: 1 Date: 20 May 2019  
 
Reviewer: Antoinette D.I. Van Asselt  
 
Reviewer's report:  
Although I can see that the authors have revised the paper extensively, I still have trouble with 
the language. Even if the manuscip t has indeed been edited by a professional, it may need 
another round. For now I have only read through the introduction but already found so many 
mistakes and other issues that I would like to propose to first have the paper edited thoroughly 
once more an d then resubmit. I would welcome the next version for reviewing the contents. 
Below my findings and comments up to and including page 7.  
 
Abstract p2 lines 14 -19  
Despite, the use of contraception from private health centres has increased over time, across  
states and socio -economic groups.  
- Despite what? This needs an addition  
 
Introduction p4 lines 19 -24 
A number of studies from Asia and Africa have established the role of fertility reduction 
resulting from increased use of family planning in higher econo mic growth, increase in per 
capita income and reduction in poverty level  
- Difficult to follow, established what role? A beneficial role? Since the fertility reduction 
is an outcome (resulting from other factors as said here) the reader cannot derive from the 
sentence what role is meant here  
 
Introduction p5 lines 14 -19 
During the first two decades, the family planning programme had adopted a clinical approach; 
that is, couple who needed family planning services had to visit clinics to avail themselves of t he 
services.  
- Should be 'couples'  
 
Introduction p5 lines 29 -34 
Later, a 'cafeteria approach' was adopted to which aimed at providing approved family planning 
methods in keeping with the choice of the acceptors.  
- Was adopted (not adopted to)  
 
Introduction p5 lines 36 -38 
In the 1990s, the programme was integrated into the Maternal and Child Health (MCH)  
- The MCH? I assume this should be the MCH programme. Cannot leave that out even 
though there is reference to another programme further in the s entence  
 
Introduction p5 line 55 - p6 line -4 
The general inference from the studies suggest that female sterilization is the most preferred 
method of contraception due to convenience, free provisioning at public health centres, provision 
of compensations a nd lack of knowledge on method choice [43,44,45].  
- General inference suggests (needs an s at the end). Also, how would female sterilization 
be the preferred method because of lack of knowledge on method choice? That is not self -
explanatory at all I would say.  
 
Introduction p6 lines 9 -14  
There are several myths about the temporary methods of modern contraception which prevent 
women from accepting short term reversible methods of contraception and opt for sterilization 
[48,49].  
- Grammatically incorrect: ' which prevent women from accepting short term reversible 
methods of contraception and make them opt for sterilization'  
 
 
Introduction p6 lines 33 -36 
The compensation amount has been revised periodically and varies in high focus statesa and non -
high focused  states and by type of providers [54].  
Focus vs focused - keep it consistent. Also, put the explanation for the a preferably on the same 
page (as footnote) to facilitate reading, and add to it an explanation of what the definition of high 
focus is, apart f rom what states these are.  
 
Introduction p6 lines 36 -38 
A sum of 10 ₹ was provided to a vasectomy acceptors in 1952 in Madras as the first case of 
compensation.  
- Either 'a vasectomy acceptor'  OR 'vasectomy acceptors' (without the 'a')  
 
Introduction p7 l ines 21 -24 
But, female sterilization continued to be dominant contributing to about three fourth of all the 
modern contraceptive methods users.  
- No, the female sterilization does not contribute to the modern contraceptive users, you 
mean that three fourth  of all modern contraceptive use is in the form of female sterilization. This 
sentence is not correctly expressing that.  
 
Introduction p7 lines 43 -44 
is perhaps one of the largest public investment  
- Should be investments (plural, since 'one of the…' )  
 
Introduction p8 lines 4 -7 
In this context, this paper examines the inter -state variations and correlates of OOP payment and 
compensations received on female sterilization in India.  
- To my knowledge, correlate is not a noun but a verb, and so it is not pos sible to 
investigate correlates  
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manus cript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please speci fy what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Not suitable for publication unless extensively edited  
 
Decl aration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, f ees, funding, or salary from an 
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financial ly from the publication of this 
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation t hat may in any way gain or lose 
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents  relating to the content of the 
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds  or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I  declare that I have  no competing interests' 
below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have NO competing interests  
 
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