Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: “Kunika women are alw ays sick”: Views from commun ity focus groups on short birth 
interval (kunika) in Bauchi State, Northern Nigeria  
 
Version: 0 Date: 22 Feb 2020  
 
Reviewer: Tesera Bitew  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Please include all comments for the authors in this box rather than uploading your report as an 
attachment. Please only upload as attachme nts annotated versions of manuscripts, graphs, 
supporting materials or other aAbstract  
 
The subheadings:  "Methods" and  "Results" should start on a new line  
 
The conclusion, "Men and women in our study had a clear understanding of the concept of 
kunika .  
 
They recognized many adverse consequences of kunika beyond the narrow health  concerns 
reported in quantitative studies. Their highlighted impacts of kunika on  men's wellbeing can 
inform initiatives promoting the role of men in addressing kunika" is not clear .  For example, 
what do the authors mean when they say "men and women had clear understanding of the 
concept of kunica"? this sentecnce and the one following this same senterence do not looks 
relevant.  Authors need to specify exactly the type of understan dint the participants have about 
the concept, "kunika".  
 
 
Introduction  
 
The authors were neutral to the advantage and disadvantages of kunica.  If so, what motivated 
the authors to conduct this research?  What the authors are aiming to do with this research.  They 
could have strengthen the gap by stating what they are going to do with their findings.  
 
 
Methods  
 
How did the authors managed to reduce the social desirability bias?  It is likely that particpants 
support what the government promotes about use of co ntraceptives and wideining birth spacing.   
 
What was the background of the FGD facilitators?  Were they members of the research team for 
example?  
 
The interview was not recorded.  So, how could the FGD facilitators manage d to have the 
quotes even?  
what is the unique findings of the authors?  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
Does the work include the necessary contr ols? 
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.  
 
No 
 
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.  
 
Not relevant to this manuscript  
 
Quality o f written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1.  Have you in the past five years receive d reimbursements, f ees, funding, or salary 
from an organisation that may in any way gain or lose financial ly from the 
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future?  
 
3.  Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents  relating to the content 
of the manuscript?  
 
4.  Have you re ceived 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 competin g 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.  
 
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