Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Beyond the statistic: Exploring the process of early marriage decision -making using  
qualitative findings from Ethiopia and India  
 
Version: 2 Date: 26 Jun 2018  
 
Reviewer: Anne  Kamau  
 
Reviewer's report:  
The authors have carefully made corrections and amendments as per the review comments. There 
are only a few additional comments which on ce address, should enable the authors to proceed to 
the next level. In my view, these need to be subjected to another round to review. The following 
are the additional comments.  
 
Line 117 - it is correctly noted that most studies presume that girls have li ttle to no voice or choice 
in decision making. This observation is important as it recognizes that girls too have and can have 
a voice over their decisions. Similar observations are made by Kamau Anne (2007) in her work on 
'The owners of the body are not i nvolved: examining adolescents' access, provision and use of 
preventive reproductive health services in Central Kenya. VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, Saarbrücken, 
Germany. ISBN: 978 -3-8364 -2494 -3'. 
 
Line 140 - add 'in' between change and his to read as 'change in his' 
 
Line 158 - put ODA in full as it is mentioned for the first time here - see line 179 & 180. The 
explanation on Project RISHTA though it appears elsewhere in the paper could also be put here.  
 
Line 240 - 242 - it would have been good to explain the re ligious characteristics of the girls studies. 
Did they come from predominantly Muslim and Hindu communities, or were these religions 
outliers? This would also help to explain line 256 - 259. 
 
Line 324 - delete 'an' and replace with 'with' to read as 'get a ngry with me...'  
 
Line 339 add 'ed' to 'want' to read as 'also wanted a solution'  
 
Line 354 - so as to enhance clarity i suggest re -framing of that sentence so that it reads as follows 
- '...the decision to move forward with a marriage was already made.'  
 
Line 355 (and elsewhere in the paper) there is mention of 'chat' [a mild plant stimulant]. Did the 
authors mean 'chat' or 'khat'?  
 
Line 363 (and elsewhere in the paper) - the biological factors determining social and cultural 
practices is evident. This dem ographic can be explained through the 'marriage market discourse' 
and affirms the discussions in the paper. see also line 431. The whole issue of the 'shrinking 
marriage market' as determined by biological factors creates social and cultural concerns mainl y 
to the parents of the girls, and a greater influencer of decision to marry off girls at an early age. 
Perhaps, there is need for greater education of the parents and decision makers on biological 
dangers and consequences of marrying girls early.  
 
Line 389 - add 'with the' after continue so as to read as 'me continue with the studies'.  
 
Line 419 - delete 'to' after 'told'.  
 
Line 420 - replace the word road with 'way'  
 
Line 421 - delete 'to' after 'told'.  
 
Line 444 - replace 'you' with 'they' so as t o read as 'guy, they will'  
 
Line 460 - replace 'if' with 'where' to read as 'situation where she'  
 
Line 474 - delete 'point of' and 'more'.  
 
Line 476 - add 'her education' between 'complete' and 'and' to read as 'complete her education and'.  
 
Line 484 - is the word 'neglected' the right word?  
 
Line 496 - delete 'her' and add question mark (?) after responsibility.  
 
Line 579 - add 'with' before her to read as 'continuing with her'.  
 
Line 624 - replace 'did marry' with 'married'.  
 
Line 631 - add 'a' before 'p oor' to read as 'a poor'.  
 
Line 639 - replace the two words 'committee' with 'commit' to read as 'commit suicide'.  
 
Line 660 - replace 'was inconstant, underscoring' with 'intent was underscored'.  
 
Line 761 - delete 'of inadequate scope' and 'a' after have.  
 
Line 762 - replace 'on' with 'in'.  
 
Line 765 - replace 'describe by this sample' with 'described in this paper'.  
 
Line 838 - add 'd' to 'agree' to read as 'agreed'.  
 
 
I note that the suggested ad ditional literature has also been reviewed and incorporated.  
 
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.  
No 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supporte d 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 spe cify 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:  
Acceptable  
Decla ration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
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3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the 
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