Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: The effect of a savings intervention on women's intimate partner violence victimization: 
Heterogeneous findings from a randomized controlled trial in Colombia  
 
Version: 1 Date: 14 Jun 2018  
 
Reviewer: Meghna Ranganathan  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This paper is an evaluation of an 18 -month RCT to test the impact of a bundled package (savings 
account with health services) versus health services alone on social empowerment (defined as 
feelings of self -confidenc e, control of household decisions), health and IPV. It is interesting, 
clear and well -written. Below I offer minor comments to consider:  
 
METHODS  
Not clear about sample numbers. The savings + health service arm were n=1364, but health 
services only were n= 436. What was the justification for a difference in numbers in the two 
arms? How did this affect the analysis in terms of looking at the effect of the savings account?  
Page 7, lines 39 -40 - Given that the survey was measuring IPV levels, usually interviews  are not 
conducted at women's houses, for fear of the partner returning. What were the steps in place to 
make sure that women were protected? Do you think having the interviews at home might have 
impacted on disclosure of IPV? This point relates to page 10 , lines 7 -9, about whether the 
women talk to their partners about this project. Presumably they all need to if the interviews 
were being conducted in their homes?  
IPV measures - where were the IPV questions adopted from? Were they all from the DHS? Did 
the authors consider using the WHO Multi country study measures for IPV?  
Page 9: lines 16 -18. I am curious about the decision to code the gift certificate and keeping it 
from their partners, as independent decision -making. One could argue that this is hiding 
information from the partner, which does not necessarily bode well for a positive and open 
relationship?  
 
  
RESULTS  
Page 12, lines 33 -34, compared to health services alone, the bundled savings treatment 
encouraged savings and increased women's financial parti cipation. Doesn't this seem obvious 
given that the health services alone doesn't have a financial component?  
 
DISCUSSION  
The finding that the bundled savings decreased symptoms of depression is interesting and it 
could be elaborated on a bit further. What d o the authors hypothesise are the reasons (especially 
if the participants don't feel any more confident). Is it to do with feelings of security and safety?  
Did the authors look at modification by age and whether the impacts of the bundled savings on 
IPV an d social empowerment varied by age? One could hypothesise that younger women may 
not be able to adhere to a savings account and may not be able to keep it independent from their 
partners as much?  
There is no discussion on the strengths and limitations of t his study and this is important to 
include and how limitations were addressed.  
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
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.  
 
I recommend additional statistical review  
 
  
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the  
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holds  or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
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