Reviewer’ s report
Title: Understanding individual, family and community perspectives on delaying early birth
among adolescent girls: Findings from a formative evaluation in rural Bangladesh
Version: 0Date: 18 Mar 2019
Reviewer: Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli
Reviewer's report:
Overall comments:This is a well written paper.
It provides findings from formative research to inform CARE's work in Bangladesh.The methods, findings and conclusions make good sense, but they do not really add to ourknowledge and understanding of the subject. The authors cite a number of studies which presentvirtually all their findings and conclusions.
Comments on specific sections of the paper:Abstract
Results:Line 2: Set out explicitly how health provider bias contributes to hindering girls' abilities to delaytheir pregnancies.Lines 5-6: Whose is this opinion - those of the authors or those of the authors surveyed ?
Plain English summary:
Line 6 from the bottom: That should read mothers-in-law.Line 4 from the bottom: What is the basis for suggesting that not having a child is the moreprosperous option ?Line 3 from the bottom: Check the spelling of the word improves.
Introduction:
Para 1Line 1: Is indicator the right word here ?Last line: Check the typo in reference 4.Para 2Line 3: Check the typo in reference 6.Line 7: Add the word to before the word control.Para 4:Line 3: Review the phrase 'split its poverty rate';
Methods:
No comments.
Results:
In table 1, it is not clear what is meant by influential males and females.The text is longer than it needs to be. It could be trimmed without losing the meeting it aims toconvey.
Discussion:
Paras 1 -3:Set out your findings in relation to the research questions (last para of introduction).Provide an interpretation of whether the norms you have described are shared by all, or whether
they are subgroups in which the norms are being challenged.
Cite research from other sites. You have only provided one citation from Pakistan.
Conclusion:
No comments.
Are the methods appropriate and well described?
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.
YesDoes the work include the necessary controls?
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.
YesAre the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.
Yes
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an
additional statistical review?If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require furtherassessment in your comments to the editors.
I am able to assess the statisticsQuality of written English
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:
AcceptableDeclaration of competing interests
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