PONE-D-19-17086

Tuberculosis treatment outcome: The case of women in Ethiopia and China, Ten-Years Retrospective Cohort study

PLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Xiao Ma,

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HASNAIN SEYED EHTESHAM

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PLOS ONE

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I recommend this manuscript for Major revision.

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Reviewers' comments:

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: I Don't Know

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: Retrospective analysis of cohorts in two countries were made and data was analyzed. Following points were highlighted during the review:

1. Significant number of tuberculosis cases and death were observed in Tigray than Zigong region. Highlighting the shortcomings in implementation of TB programme in northern part of ethiopia.

2. Why, No data is available for TB-HIV co-morbid condition in Zigong region.

3. Factors responsible to unsuccessful treatment outcome in Tigray needs to be highlighted at large.

4. Factors responsible for less treatment success in Re-treatment cases needs to be highlighted also.

5. In Line 75,76 stating the lacunae of the study outcomes; Thus, globally this time we lack specific proof which shows level of treatment outcomes and its factor affecting in these vulnerable group.

6. Why only these two regions of these two countries are chosen for comparison, as the population, and other demographic conditions of these two countries are totally different. Reason needs to be provided.

However, such studies needs to be planned to highlight the lacunae in implementation of the national TB control programme and to study successful treatment outcomes.

Reviewer #2: 1. Whether the study population was native to the said region or migrant population also there needs to be clarified

2. Since the occupation of people from Tigray is mentioned. Same needs to be highlighted about the study subjects from Zigong. Also of any corelation is deduced from the same.

3. Any positive family history of TB in study subjects should also been recorded.

4. It is mentioned that retreatment or MDR cases showed poor treatment success as compared to those with HIV coinfection needs to be elaborated upon.

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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Tuberculosis treatment outcome: The case of women in Ethiopia and China, Ten-Years Retrospective Cohort study

PONE-D-19-17086R1

Dear Dr. Xiao Ma,

We are pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it complies with all outstanding technical requirements.

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With kind regards,

HASNAIN SEYED EHTESHAM

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

The Authors have modified the manuscript seeking in mind the comments of the Reviewers. Reviewer 1 have No major comments and others have been taken care of. Reviewer 2 has also asked some questions and sought clarifications and elaborations on some points and these have been provided by the Authors. I believe this manuscript attempts to address treatment outcome in high disease burden country.

Reviewers' comments: