Title: A prospective cohort study of the relationship of female genital mutilation with birth
outcomes in Somalia
Version: 2 Date: 12 May 2022
Reviewer:  Hassan Abduljabbar
Reviewer's report:
A prospective cohort study of the relationship of female genital mutilation with birth outcomes
in Somalia
Keywords: birth complication, female genital mutilation, perineal tears, Somalia
General
The title reflects the study accurately (A prospective cohort study of the relationship of female
genital mutilation with birth outcomes in Somalia. )
Easy to understand,
Conveys important massage.
Subject it involves a significant topic in our practice
Plagiarism .. There are some sentences in the manuscript taken from the web.
The study idea is acceptable.
It was not already published.
It gives proper attribution.
The work is not original and the idea is very interesting and important to the field.
• Gebremicheal K, Alemseged F, Ewunetu H, Tolossa D, Ma’alin A, Yewondwessen M, Melaku
S. Sequela of female genital mutilation on birth outcomes in Jijiga town, Ethiopian Somali
region: a prospective cohort study. BMC pregnancy and childbirth. 2018 Dec;18(1):1-0.
The study's message is good, and it has additional knowledge of the medical literature.
It has an appropriate research work structure ( sample size calculation?? )
Academic vocabulary has been used
The sections of the manuscript completed in a logical order
Background and introduction
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is defined as the partial or complete removal of the external
female genitalia for non-medical reasons.
It has some complications related to delivery that concern both the mother and the baby. In this
study, we aimed to evaluate the birth outcomes of FGM, which is widely applied in Somalia.
Objective ; to evaluate the birth outcomes of FGM, which is widely applied in Somali.
It is straightforward and easy to understand.
It is a good summary.
It is well written
Indicating the methods clearly
It includes key findings
Methods:
The study included 268 women who gave birth at 37-42 weeks of gestation with a cephalic
singleton,
Sample size calculation  ( why only 134)
134 with FGM and
134 without FGM.
This study was designed a prospective cohort study and conducted between
January 2019 and December 2020.
• Ages,
• Duration of delivery,
• FGM types,
• Caesarean section requirements,
• Before and after birth hemoglobin levels,
• Birth weeks,
• Baby birth weights and
• Perineal tear data were recorded.
In addition, we analyzed neonatal intensive care needs and APGAR scores for infants.
Results
In patients with FGM, it was determined that
The outlet obstruction increased 2.33 times,
Perineal tears increased 2.48 times,
The need for caesarean section increased 2.11 times ..... compared to the control group, and
the APGAR score below 7 at the 5th minute in the children increased 2 times
The need for neonatal intensive care increased 1.87 times.
The authors include proper references to previously published methodology
Total of 29 references; some are old before 2010, and some not (validated or not checked)
The description of the methodology is accurate need more clarification of sample size.
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Conclusion:
FGM causes prolongation in the second stage of labour,
increased risk of perineal tear,
increased need for emergency caesarean section, and
increased need for NICU for infants.
Prevention of FGM will help reduce both obstetric and neonatal complications.
The title reflects the study accurately.
The study is written in simple (English language with few spelling and grammar mistakes.)
Abstract it is straightforward and easy to understand.
It is a good summary.
Methods (This study is a prospective cohort study.)
Sample Size = “calculation “
Results most of the queries were answered
Statistical analyses are appropriate.
Plagiarism .. There some sentence in the manuscript taken from the web
No conflicts of interests
Ethically Approved ??
Consent
Total of 29 references some are old before 2010 and some not (validated or not checked)
It is a good study with good introduction and discussion
The conclusion is clear for the reader