PONE-D-23-27072A multi-scale geographically weighted regression analysis of teenage pregnancy and associated factors among adolescents aged 15 to 19 in Ethiopia using the 2019 mini- demographic and health surveyPLOS ONE

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Additional Editor Comments:

I have seen a similar study like this, with the same problems. The topic and method plus results are of extreme importance. However, we cannot invite Reviewers because they will probably reject the manuscript because, like me, they will find lots of errors, misspellings, and inadequate descriptions. Please take the manuscript to someone who can write proper English, and use my first suggestions (in attached file) to continue improving the wording and descriptions for the rest of the file.

Thank you.

We look forward to receiving your revised manuscript.

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Attachments

Attachment

Submitted filename: PONE-D-23-27072-AF.pdf

A multiscale geographically weighted regression analysis of teenage pregnancy and associated factors among adolescents aged 15 to 19 in Ethiopia using the 2019 mini-demographic and health survey

PONE-D-23-27072R1

Dear Dr. Tebeje,

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,

Alfredo Luis Fort, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. If the authors have adequately addressed your comments raised in a previous round of review and you feel that this manuscript is now acceptable for publication, you may indicate that here to bypass the “Comments to the Author” section, enter your conflict of interest statement in the “Confidential to Editor” section, and submit your "Accept" recommendation.

Reviewer #1: All comments have been addressed

Reviewer #2: All comments have been addressed

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2. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: No

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. 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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6. 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 study’s purpose and aim are clear: to explore the spatial factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy in Ethiopia. But beyond just identifying these factors, we’re diving deeper into what they truly mean for the lives of young girls across different regions. We’re examining a range of determinant like socio-economic conditions, access to education, and cultural practices, that influence whether a teenage girl might become pregnant. By understanding these specific factors, we hope to shed light on the unique challenges faced by adolescents in various parts of the country. This approach isn’t just about numbers; it’s about understanding the real-world implications for these young girls and their futures. The study topic is comprehensive and well researched, but to make it resonate with a wider audience, it could benefit from simplifying some of the more technical parts. For instance, when discussing complex methodological terms, consider breaking them down into more relatable language or using analogies that can bridge the gap between expert knowledge and general understanding. This way, readers who might not be familiar with spatial analysis or statistics can still grasp the importance and impact of your work. Making these adjustments will help ensure that your findings are accessible and meaningful to a broader audience. Good job

Reviewer #2: Dear Author,

Thank you for submitting your manuscript for publication. I have some suggestions to enhance the quality and clarity of the study.

Firstly, I noticed that several similar studies have been using the same data, and methods have been published. To strengthen your manuscript, please highlight the new knowledge your study provides.

2. In the background section, you mention the decline in teenage pregnancy rates since 2000. It would be valuable to explore and discuss potential interventions that implemented during this period that may have contributed to this decline (If any). e.g. "The younglives study".

3. Regarding the results section, I found some discrepancies in the categorization of certain variables, including marital status, wealth index and community exposure to media, which do not add up to the total sample size of teenagers (n=2165). Please review and correct these errors.

4. Additionally, I had difficulty understanding the denominator used to calculate region-specif prevalence rates of teenage pregnancy. To ensure clarity, I suggest including the denominator in square brackets within the results, such as [n=XX/XX]. This will ensure transparency and enable readers to accurately follow the calculations.

For example, when I used the formular (no.teens pregnant in region/no.teen population in region X100) I obtained different rates to what is on Table 1. Providing the denominator will solve the problem.

Overall, your study has potential and addressing these concerns will enhance its quality and contribution to the field.

Regards

P. Nongena

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes: Pelisa Nongena

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Attachments

Attachment

Submitted filename: PONE-D-23-27072_R1.docx - Review.docx

Attachment

Submitted filename: PONE-D-23-27072_R1-AF.pdf