Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Association between the use of free -of-charge intrauterine d evices and a history of 
induced abortion: A retrospective study  
 
Version: 1 Date: 14 May 2019  
 
Reviewer: Kirsten Black  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Thank you for the opportu nity to review this article. It is generally well written and clear and 
provides a nice example of the impact a change to free provision of contraceptive methods can 
make on uptake. It requires some attention to syntax. The authors alternate between englis h and 
american spelling of words such as characterize". I believe the journal uses american spelling.  
 
Abstract  
 
Methods: group the combined hormonal contraceptive methods oral or ring together  
Results: line 35 suggest "uptake of an IUD" and in the next sent ence 'choice' Discussion" 
Awkward wording in sections. Replace "At least four limitations of our study.." with "This study 
has a number of limitations".  
Line 206 "entry into the program was restricted to a 12 month ..a. I am not sure this is a 
limitation o f the data (rather it is a limitation of the intervention)? I suggest the following 
sentence could be deleted "therefore..."  
 
Conclusion  
 
I am not sure the wording in line 227 is appropriate. "exclusively prefer the use of less effective 
contraceptives". Is this not about access and cost and likely they were using the less effective 
because they were easier to access and cheaper?  
I am not sure the last sentence of the conclusion aligns with the study. A more apt last sentence 
would say something like we would  ideally be able to offer women IUDs before they have an 
unintended pregnancy and abortion or immediately post abortion.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in yo ur 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 i n 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.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please compl ete 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 financially from the publication of th is 
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 applyi ng 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 y es to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
 
 
 
 
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