Title: Women’s Autonomy in Refusing Risky Sex and Associated Factors in Ethiopia: Evidence
from 2011 & 2016 EDHS data
Version: 2 Date: 28 Mar 2021
Reviewer:  Endalew Gemechu Sendo
Reviewer's report:
March 28, 2021
Reviewer’s Comments:
Name: Dr. Endalew G Sendo (Ass. Prof)
Addis Ababa University
Tele (Mobile):+251-911-196298
Email: endalew.gemechu@aau.edu.et
TITLE: The trend of Women’s Autonomy in Refusing Risky Sex and Associated Factors in
Ethiopia: Evidence from 2011 & 2016 EDHS data
General comments:
I recognize and commend the author’s contribution to the literature in taking this study on as it
covers national data and is a relevant topic.   I think this paper is very useful and can be approved
for publication after all the major points listed in the document have been revised.
The article, however, needs to be edited for clarification and grammar changes, including tense
use. Most significantly, I recommend that the author hire a copyeditor or rewrite the language to
improve the text's flow and readability. Please go over the entire document again to make sure
there are no spellings or writing errors.
Abstract:
Structured abstract including background, objective, methods, and results. The results section,
on the other hand, required extensive revision due to its poor presentation.
Introduction
Statement of the Problem should provide a clear statement of the problem, the relevant literature
on the subject, and the proposed approach or solution.  It should be coherent to academicians
around the globe of scientific disciplines. The researcher didn’t clearly show the research gap
to the readers
MAJOR POINTS: Please consider narrowing the introductions.
1. Why is your research important?
2. What is known about the topic?
3. What are your hypotheses or objective or research question?
Follow the standard flow of information/text. For example, start with a global context, followed
by SSA then Ethiopia last (this is an example of how you could structure your introduction, you
can use other approaches to improve the flow).
In Ethiopia, the magnitude of risky sexual behavior particularly in having multiple sexual
partners estimated up to 53.7% (11).  Does this figure refer to married couples or among the
general population? Which group of women is more at risk: Married or unmarried? Review
is not comprehensive, not logically organized, and doesn’t accurately summarize and integrate
scientific evidence in the area of the research topic. Hence, evaluate the relevance of the
information to your study – Include only information directly relevant to your study.
‘’Thus, since having multiple sexual partners is risky sex, measures not to have sexual
intercourse with those who have multiple sexual partners can be understood as a refusal of risky
sex’’.  Cite the source.  It doesn't make sense to me. How can she deny sex when the topic of the
study is ‘’about women in marital relationships’’? She would rather have healthy/safe sex with
a condom with her partner if her husband engaged in risky sexual activity.
Study Design and Data Collection:
– Appropriate study design used for this study and study setting clearly described.
– Data collection and the source of data clearly described
Population, sample size determination & sampling Technique:
– For this study, the researcher has used only married women’s data. Which group of women is
more at risk: Married or unmarried?  Why did you consider married women only? Justify it. The
term ‘married women’ needs to be operationally defined.   “What type of marital union does it
refer to?   ‘Officially’ married in church or mosque; were married at the municipality or were
in a consensual union?
– Sample size calculation NOT justified correctly.
–  Sampling method used for the research and sample selection procedure NOT clearly stated.
Dependent Variable/Measurement
– The study’s dependent variable was women's autonomy in refusing risky sex. This was
measured based on women’s response on ‘Reason for not having sex because of husbands have
other women’.
The term ‘’other women’’ might cause confusion to the readers. A couple was defined as
polygamous if a man indicated that he had more than one wife (married or cohabiting) or a
woman indicated that her male partner had more than one wife.  In this context, ‘’ what does
other women’’ refer to??
Risky sex/Risky sexual behavior:  How did you measure ‘’risky sex’’ in this study? Risky sexual
behavior refers to having two or more sexual partners in the previous 12 months, inconsistent
condom use with new partners, or/and having sex with a commercial sex worker. Source: Sendo
EG, and Bedada W (2014)
Results
The results were presented in an appropriate fashion in line with the research objectives. Data
are presented in a logical and meaningful manner. Results are clear, complete, and answer the
research question.
DISCUSSION:
MAJOR POINT: The author provided information and recommendations based on the study
findings though it is very short. However, he still needs to improve the structure of the discussion
properly and provide more texts in the discussion (and also include other literature and its
references). Follow the suggested structure with principal findings, strengths, and weaknesses.
Significant variables at the multivariate level of analysis deserve more attention (besides
descriptive findings) in the discussion section. Each variable should be discussed separately.
Relate your study to what has been done before: how do your results fit in with what is already
known? What are the strengths and weaknesses of your study compared with previous studies?
Why did you reach different conclusions?
What your study means: What do you think your study means to patients, doctors, or
policymakers? What is your contribution to the existing literature/body of knowledge in
considering this study in the study setting?   What new information did you get that others didn’t
report in the previous literature?
Conclusions:
MAJOR POINT: The authors summarized a few key points in the conclusion; however a
conclusion is supposed to give a “take-home message”. This should be a general statement
reiterating the authors’ answer to the research question and adding its scientific implications,
practical application, or advice. Authors will therefore need to strengthen the conclusion
References
– Most references were used in square brackets, in Harvard referencing style consistently and
they are also the latest.  However, in the text there 28 references but in the reference list only
25. All sources consulted must be referred to, that is, must be “referenced” in the text and listed
in the list of references (or bibliography) at the end of the document.  So, edit the references.
In general, avoid sources that are more than five years old unless they can be considered
“classics” in your field of study
Decision: Major revision required.  Revise and submit to the editor.
Hope you will revise your paper considering all the points raised in the document.