Reviewer’s report
Title: The Loss of Dignity: social experience and coping of women with Obstetric Fistula, in northwest  
Ethiopia
Version: 0 Date: 27 Mar 2019
Reviewer: Thecla W Wankuru Kohi
Reviewer's report:
The study on fistula is relevant as it adds knowledge on the  experiences and coping mechanisms of  
women with Fistula.
1.0 The background and study setting are were explained.
Below are my observations/suggestions:
2.0 Study design and Sampling: I suggest that  the sample size of the respondents be added to enable  
the reader to keep on track.
3.0 Data analysis: Which method was used to analyse the data? Was it content, thematic or other?  
Please give details.
     3.1 Add a  table which summarizes items such as codes, categories, sub-themes or themes. The table  
will help the reader to understand how the mentioned themes 
          in the manuscript were reached.
4.0 Results: Background of respondents - Does this mean 'respondents' profile'? If so I think that the  
author should provide a different sub-heading for the themes 
      beginning with 'The Social experiences and onset and perceived cause.
4.1 The respondents' quotes should include the identity for example (woman lived  with fistula for three  
years). Therefore all the quotes should be revisited.
4.2 The respondents' quotes could be improved in terms of translations from Amharic to English  
without changing the meaning.
4.3 I do not think that numerical numbers e.g 18.1% should be written in the manuscript , particularly  
when the numbers are less than ten(this is optional)
5.0 There are several grammatical errors throughout the manuscript. An English editor would be of  
help.
Are the methods appropriate and well described?
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.
No
Does the work include the necessary controls?
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.
Yes
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.
Yes
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an additional  
statistical review?
If  an  additional  statistical  review  is  recommended,  please  specify  what  aspects  require  further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.
Not relevant to this manuscript
Quality of written English
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:
Needs some language corrections before being published
Declaration of competing interests
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an  
organisation  that  may  in  any  way  gain  or  lose  financially  from  the  publication  of  this  
manuscript, either now or in the future?
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially  
from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?
3. Do  you  hold  or are  you  currently applying  for  any patents  relating  to  the  content  of  the  
manuscript?
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that holds or  
has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?
6. Do you have any non-financial competing interests in relation to this paper?
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your reply is yes to any, please give details below.
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