Title: Effect of Behavior Change Communication through the Health Development Army
on Birth Weight of Newborns in Ambo District, Ethiopia: a cluster randomized controlled
community trial
Version: 2 Date: 06 Sep 2022
Reviewer:  Abebe Ferede
Reviewer's report:
Manuscript review submitted to BMC Women's Health Journal Editors
Journal Name: BMC Women's Health
Submission ID a8737a1d-8e68-4647-a067-797ce6642148
Title of the Manuscript:  Effect of Behavior Change Communication through the Health
Development Army of Birth Weight of Newborns in Ambo District, Ethiopia: a cluster
randomized controlled community trial
Type of the Article Original Research Article
1. Compulsory REVISION comments
Abstract
Method and result need revision after you examined and incorporate the comments given as
follows
To the point, a cluster study bunch to intervention and control, this study method shall to
follow by selection of study participants. Considering the method, especially recruitment,
randomization and intervention allocation have an explanation problem.
To the methods:
In cluster randomization, selection of the clusters is a major 1st step and followed by
randomizing these clusters into the intervention and the control group.
Secondly, selection of study participant from randomized clusters
However, the explanations given in cluster selection and randomization, study participant
selection in the abstract and the main body and in figure 1 stumpy.
So, the need of stepwise (heretical interest) explanations in these parts is critical for the appraised
manuscript.
Sample size
The study sample size increased incorrectly associated with a cluster randomized method, which
not directly applied to study population. Statistically, allowable change in sample size in cluster
sampling method, but not in cluster randomization. For the purpose of benefit from sample size,
you can meet your interest by searching maximum literatures.
In this manuscript document in the part of the abstract and the main body of sampling method
statement change and rewriting is important.
Result
In the result, the repeated weight measurement not used to compare weight gained via progress
time in both groups; this would provide plotted graph with the pattern of weight gain in
competition of the groups.   However, I saw categorical weight gains in data that might originate
from raw data. Therefore, you can modify your results by developing weight gain change
between the groups will indicate the progress of  your intervention impact.
Additional points
a.      Line 523-524: The mean birth weight of newborns in the intervention group was 0.3 kg
greater than the mean birth weight of neonates in the control group.
This statement shall be written as follows line 460-462.
Summarized as the mean birth weight of newborns among intervention was 3.kg or/ mean birth
weight of newborns in the intervention group was higher by 0.3kg than the control group.
2. Optional/General comments
Figure 1, not indicate just to the corresponding clusters randomizing for groups and the stage of
study participant selection, follow-up and lost to follow-up in a hierarchical manner.
Selected clusters followed by Randomized clusters (n=48) then Randomized pregnant women
(n=770) that did not show the selection of pregnant women in a figure as well in a document.
Please modify the selection and randomization pregnant women.
Tables not set properly and extremely long, therefore reducing each table’s contained variable
with less relevant to the dependent variable important. Secondly, give sufficient space for the
variable column than other columns, this also minimizes the size of the tables. These will provide
tables and figure meet smart and helpful for readers to appreciate figures and information found
on each table and figure. The way of constructing tables in this article need a structural concrete
change and this will increase your interest in modifying  your paper with art
There is need of grammatical editing via  a manuscript
3. Minor REVISION comments
Kebele, Goat          these names are need a short explanation in the method part