PONE-D-24-48920Parental Involvement in School-Based Mental Health interventions for Young People in low resource settings: A Qualitative study from Zimbabwe and GhanaPLOS ONE

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #2: N/A

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: Parental Involvement in School-Based Mental Health interventions for Young People in

low resource settings: A Qualitative study from Zimbabwe and Ghana

This qualitative study explored the mechanisms for effectively involving parents in SBMH interventions for young people in Zimbabwe and Ghana (low resource setting).

Overall

• The manuscript is well written, very clear and adds knowledge on parental involvement in school-based mental health interventions for young people in a resource limited setting. The title is appropriate and the aim is clearly stated. The research is important to the field. The structure and language are appropriate.

Abstract

• It is very clear and it highlights the key findings of the study.

Introduction

• The introduction is sufficient, clear and well organized.

• The subject matter is well introduced and laid a solid foundation for the manuscript.

• I think it could be helpful to add a sentence highlighting the fact that parental involvement is currently not part of the school based mental health interventions in Zimbabwe and Ghana.

Methodology

• The methods are reproducible and well described.

• Correct terms were used to describe the study population

• Clear inclusion and exclusion criteria.

• It would be helpful to explain why the different age groups for the two countries (5-24 in Zimbabwe and 15-18 in Ghana).

• Please shed some light on why CMDs are common among young people in Navrongo, Ghana.

• For table 1 consider using sex instead of gender, gender is a social construct that refers to the behaviors and role and identities of people.

• For table 1 is there a difference between the zeros and the dashes?

Results and discussion

• The results are well presented.

• There is general flow and logic on justification of interpretation of results and the conclusion.

• Clear strengths and limitations.

Conclusion

• Precise and to the point.

References, tables and figures

• The references are numbered correctly and citations are appropriate.

• For the references please check for inconsistencies i.e. some journal names are written in full and others are shortened. References number 5 and 10 (W.H.O and World Health Organization) etc.

• The table is well labeled.

• There is presentation consistency.

Reviewer #2: This is a very well-written and organized manuscript that addresses a gap in the literature regarding an important issue of adolescent mental health. The methodology is sound and described in depth. There are only a few minor suggestions that I would make to the authors:

- In Methods (Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria), authors mention "active major mental disorder" as an exclusion criterion. Please provide additional details on how that was defined - whether by RA designation, previous diagnosis, use of pharmacotherapy, etc.

- In Methods, consider providing additional details that can help contextualize the socioeconomic status of the schools/student participants. For example, if public vs private school. This can be useful since the Discussion mentions logistical barriers to parental involvement.

- In Results/Discussion, consider adding some comparison of responses between the two study sites in Zimbabwe and Ghana. While the responses from both sites seem to reinforce each other, it would be interesting to mention if there were any differences noted between the sites.

- In Results, the level of subheadings and their formatting needs to be fixed.

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes:  Masih A Babagoli

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Parental Involvement in School-Based Mental Health interventions for Young People in low resource settings: A Qualitative study from Zimbabwe and Ghana

PONE-D-24-48920R1

Dear Dr. Rufaro Hamish Mushonga,

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,

Engelbert A. Nonterah, MD, PhD

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments: