Reviewer’s report
Title: Child Marriage in Ghana: Evidence from a Multi-Method Study
Version: 1 Date: 22 Feb 2019
Reviewer: Shanta Pandey
Reviewer's report:
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Child Marriage in Ghana: Evidence from a Multi-Method Study
MBC Women's Health
Manuscript # BMWH-D-18-00743R1
This is an important and timely topic. Qualitative section has rich information. The manuscript is well
written. I have some minor comments to the authors.
1.On page 7, it appears that the Government of Ghana introduced child marriage ban in 1998.
After 16 years, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection established a Child Marriage
Unit in 2014. What kind of resources are allocated to this Unit? Are there any examples of the national
initiatives that this unit has been implementing to end child marriage? To what extent these initiatives
responded to the suggestions offered by the women in the focus groups? Linking this to the discussion
on page 27 would be helpful. 
2.On page 9, the authors restricted the sample to women between 20 to 24 years of age.  It
appears that the authors would have three groups of women. Those married before age 18, those
married after age 18 and those not yet married. What proportion of the women were not married? 
3.On page 10, it appears that about 21% of the women between 20 to 24 years of age were
married before age 18. There were women married at age 10. What percentage of them were married
before age 15?  Also, it would be helpful if the rate of child marriage changed between the previous
Demographic Health Survey cohort and this cohort.  This would help monitor the progress made over
time.
4.Finally, in the discussion section, you indicated that "the police and other law enforcement
institutions should step up efforts to curb child marriage." Has Child Marriage Unit established in 2014
been implementing any policies to this effect? Some discussion of the current governmental efforts and
additional efforts going forward would strengthen the manuscript. 
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Are the methods appropriate and well described?
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Yes
Does the work include the necessary controls?
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Yes
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?
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Yes
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an additional
statistical review?
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assessment in your comments to the editors.
I am able to assess the statistics
Quality of written English
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Acceptable
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