Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Neonatal, Infant, and Child Mortality Among Women Expos ed to Intimate Partner 
Violence  in East Africa: A Multi -Country Analysis  
 
Version: 2 Date: 28 Jun 2019  
 
Reviewer: Angela Taft  
 
Reviewer's report:  
I still have serious concerns about your justification that a BMI rate below the median/mean 
population average used previously in another study is a sufficient justification to use it again. I 
was hoping f or better rationale. I do not doubt that BMI is an important mediator. I see this in the 
DHS data we have analysed in Timor Leste, where stunting is also a problem and women's 
underweight a significant issue. I suggest you should not draw conclusions from it, and should 
remove these conclusions as you have other findings that are important and valid. I recommend 
you reduce the discussion sections that refer to these findings. But this is discretionary.  
  
However, the remainder of your analysis has sufficien t merit for publication.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the autho rs. 
 
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.  
 
No 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manus cript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects req uire further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
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 r elating 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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below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests   
 
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