PONE-D-21-39918Barriers for health care access affects maternal continuum of care utilization in Ethiopia; spatial analysis and generalized estimating equationPLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Alamneh,

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Reviewers' comments:

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Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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3. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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4. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about dual publication, research ethics, or publication ethics. (Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)

Reviewer #1: The manuscript entitled “Barriers for health care access affects maternal continuum of care utilization in Ethiopia; spatial analysis and generalized estimating equation” is an interesting study. Authors have assessed the spatial distribution of incomplete utilization of maternal continuum of care and its associated factors in Ethiopia based on 2016 Demographic and Health Survey data of Ethiopia. A total weighted sample of 4,772 reproductive age women were included. The study used ArcGIS and SaTScan software to explore the spatial distribution of incomplete utilization of maternal continuum of care. This study is noteworthy but the manuscript requires minor revision before its publication.

Comments

1, All Figures quality may be improved (high resolution).

2, At least one additional Figure (illustration) may be provided as to highlight the summary or prospect of this study.

3, Authors should discuss about the limitation to their study.

4, The English of manuscript can be polished (minor).

Reviewer #2: In this paper entitled "Barriers for health care access affects maternal continuum of care utilization in Ethiopia; spatial analysis and generalized estimating equation," the authors investigate the spatial distribution of incomplete utilization of maternal continuum of care and its associated factors in Ethiopia.". A total of 4772 reproductive-age women participated in the study. Using ArcGIS and SaTScan software, the usage of incomplete maternal continuum distribution is explored. The study is well carried out and is statistically sound. Moreover, the manuscript is easy to understand. However, This manuscript requires minor revision before its publication in PLOS One as follows:

Minor Comments:

1) Add the strength and limitations of the study in the manuscript.

2) The data is well presented in the manuscript and has undergone statistical rigor. But the author may improve the resolution of figures 1-5. The figures lack the clarity to make any conclusion. (Major)

3) The highlights the challenges and prospects of the study in the manuscript.

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Barriers for health care access affects maternal continuum of care utilization in Ethiopia; spatial analysis and generalized estimating equation

PONE-D-21-39918R1

Dear Dr. Alamneh,

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,

Sanjay Kumar Singh Patel, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE