Reviewer’s report
Title: How Gender and Religion Impact Uptake of Family Planning: Results from a Qualitative study  
in Northwestern Tanzania
Version: 0 Date: 20 Feb 2019
Reviewer: Winfred Kavulani Luseno
Reviewer's report:
In this manuscript, the authors examine how gender and religion influence knowledge and perceptions  
about as well as the use of family planning in Tanzania. They also explored the potential for using  
religious leaders to promote the uptake of family planning. They conducted a total of 24 focus groups  
equally  distributed  by  gender  (female  and  male)  and  two  major  religions  in  the  study  region  
(Christianity and Islam). I commend the authors for a very well-written manuscript on an important yet  
understudied topic. I only have a few minor suggestions.
1. In the last paragraph of the Introduction on Page 5 the authors describe their hypothesis and the  
focus of the group discussions. They do not, however, mention gender differences, which is a major  
focus of their paper. Were gender differences a key area of exploration at the outset of the research or  
did it emerge as a theme during analysis? If the former, they should mention it in their hypothesis. 
2. In the Methods, Page 6, were all the participants married or living with a partner or had children?  
What criteria were used to purposively sample participants.
3. Also, in the Methods, Page 6, last sentence of paragraph 1, the authors state that the discussions  
lasted between 30 minutes to 120 minutes. This is a very wide range and I was left wondering whether  
a 30-minute focus group discussion could be informative. It might be worth explaining the wide range  
either in the Methods or limitations.  
3. Also, in the Methods, Page 6, second paragraph, did the facilitators review the transcripts for  
accuracy after translations were done by the professional translation service? 
4. One question I was left wondering is whether there were any differences by religion in perceptions  
or use of family planning. This did not come out clearly in the manuscript.
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 manuscript or would you recommend an additional  
statistical review?
If  an  additional  statistical  review  is  recommended,  please  specify  what  aspects  require  further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.
Not relevant to this manuscript
Quality of written English
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:
Acceptable
Declaration of competing interests
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