PONE-D-21-06643

A true face of Indian married couples: effect of age and education on control over own sexuality and sexual violence

PLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Shobhit,

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #2: No

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: The manuscript is technically sound and using NFHS data it depicts the very important domain of sexuality and sexual violence among Indian couples. The topic fulfils the dearth of couple related picture of sexual violence in India and how age and education of couple is associated with sexual violence. However, I have certain comments:

1. Specify total sample in the method section of the abstract.

2. Provide AOR in result section of the abstract.

3. Introduction is well written however a conceptual framework is needed.

4. Please do elaborate the data part and provide citations also.

5. Outcome variable section need a little elaboration

6. Provide some useful explanation and citation for explanatory variables in variable description section.

7. In the result section some changes are needed for example in regression based results provide CI in the result description also e.g., [AOR: 1.90; CI: 1.44-2.90], write the word “significantly more likely or significantly less likely”.

8. Please do check the paper for grammatical mistakes and provide the references in Vancouver style i.e., in big brackets [1], [2-4], [3, 7, 9] etc.

Reviewer #2: The article highlights a very sensitive and important topic “sexual intimate partner violence IPV and control over sexual activity”, the study focuses on the association between several factors “socio-economic, demographic factors, spousal characteristics and special characteristics” and risk of sexual IPV and control over sexual activity. The argument made in the study is valid and the study findings support similar findings in the field. The association is plausible, and the study design and methods are feasible as it uses secondary data already published. The material is all reasonable, reliable, and prepared. The methodology and analysis are explained in detail. Appropriate statistical tests were used with adjusted odds ratio, and the results section reflected on the statistically significant findings. Therefore, repetition of the study is possible, making the findings reliable. Discussion explains the results, however more references need to be added to some statements (explained below).

Comments:

Although the title and the aim mentioned in the introduction part of the abstract implies that the study focus on age and education as variables affection sexuality control and sexual violence, however the study covers more socio-economic and demographic factors; suggestion to edit that part to reflect more on the study. Also, the introduction in the abstract and the aim in the last part of the introduction hints that the study would cover policies and programs for prevention in India, those were not cover in the study, and need to be removed.

Suggest adding more keywords to cover socio-economic, demographic factors, and spousal characteristics and special characteristics.

The abstract need rephrasing especially the introduction, methodology, conclusion parts (need to reflect more on the conclusion at the end of the article).

line 120: Can you reference such studies “unrepresentative small-scale studies”

“Though evidence remains unclear, whichever has come are from unrepresentative, small-scale studies.”

The aim of the study Line 121: the aim seems different of that mentioned in the abstract, no mention of studying variable associations, and the study does not address policies and programs. Suggestion use aim in line: 281 here instead

“Therefore, the present study examines the status of sexual autonomy and unwanted sexual experiences among currently married women in India and also aims to address policies and programs for its prevention in India.”

Line 128: can you add the abbreviation here “NFHS-4” and reference.

Line 132: combine with line 133

Line 154: Caste “SC/ST” Maybe add a reference refer to schedule castes or schedule tribes.

Line 179: “three to seven” delete “is”

Line 194: “the results were better among the equally educated group” please rephrase for better understanding.

Line 204: (around 30)? percent?

Line 285- line 310: please reference.

Line: 332 and line 341 can you add discussion with other relevant studies with similar results if present?

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes: Angi ALRADIE-MOHAMED

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A true face of Indian married couples: effect of age and education on control over own sexuality and sexual violence

PONE-D-21-06643R1

Dear Dr. Srivastva,

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

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Kind regards,

Russell Kabir, PhD

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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