Title: Survey of knowledge and attitude regarding induced abortion among nurses in a tertiary
hospital in Thailand after amendment of the abortion act: a cross-sectional study
Version: 2 Date: 14 Aug 2022
Reviewer:  Sharad Kumar Sharma
Reviewer's report:
This paper examines the knowledge of the amended abortion act, attitude and intensions behind
abortion, and willingness to perform abortion among registered nurses with the help of cross-
sectional study conducted in tertiary hospitals in Southern Province of Thailand. With the help
of F-test and linear regression analysis the authors concludes that the Nurses in the Southern
Province of Thailand lack knowledge on amended abortion act and do not have favorable
moral attitude towards abortion. Compared to Buddhist, Muslim Nurses were less likely to have
favorable attitude, intentions and willingness to provide safe abortion services. The authors
also show positive association between knowledge on amendment of abortion act and attitude
towards abortion. In the light of the assessment, my overall opinion on the paper is that it is
acceptable for publication with some revisions.
Comments
1. In page6, second paragraph of background section, the authors state that “The mortality rate
associated with unsafe abortions is 300 per 100 000 women, which is approximately 300 times
higher than that related to safe abortion”. For clarity, to the readers, please specify overall
maternal mortality ratio, maternal mortality ratio associated with induced abortion and separate
this by mortality due to unsafe and safe abortion.
2. In page6, third paragraph of background section, the authors explain the amendment of
abortion act. The sentence is a bit complex to understand. Please simplify the sentence and spell
out clearly, what was the provision before and after amendment?
3. In page6, paragraph 6 of background section, the authors state “Registered nurses provide
services related to …”. Please explain where?
4. In page 11, 1st paragraph of result section, the authors mention that “The mean (SD) age
of Muslim and Buddhists participants were 36.6 (6.9) and 42.8 (7.0) years respectively” these
values are not found in Tables, Please insert those values in Table or spell out clearly why those
were not included.
5. Values of the variable “Experience as a part of team is taking care of unintended pregnant
women or abortion” is missing in Table1. Please also keep the name of this variable short
6. In page 12, 2nd paragraph of result section the authors mentions “Zagat” but in Table2 it is
spelled out as “Zakat” please correct whichever is appropriate
7. In page 12, 3rd paragraph of result section, the authors mention “The mean (SD) knowledge
scores of the Muslim and Buddhist participants were 5.5 (2.2) and 5.6 (2.2) points, respectively”.
These values are not shown in Table or in Figure1. Please add this information either in Table
or in Figure or spell out clearly why these values are not included
8. In supplementary Table 1 the regression coefficients for “Department” are missing, please
insert those coefficients
9. I would suggest combining Table 3 and Table 4 as well as Table 5 and Table 6 together so
that it is easier for readers to compare the statements between Muslims and Buddhists, as the
authors did in Table 7. The authors may need to show the combined tables in landscape format.