Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title:  Understanding women's motivat ions to participate in MTN -003/VOICE, a Phase IIb HIV 
prevention trial with low adherence  
 
Version: 0 Date: 20 Jul 2018 
 
Reviewer:  Philip  Anglewicz  
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
Please include all comments for the authors in this box rather than uploading your report as an 
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Overall, this study is well -organized and written.  The importance of the study is clearly jus tified 
at the onset, and the study appears to be well -executed.  I just have a few comments (about 
sampling and bias) that I think will improve this research.  
 
How were participants selected?  The authors seem to list only the number of participants at eac h 
site but not how they were selected among all participants.  To what extent are selected 
participants different from those not selected?  Table 1 lists differences across countries, but not 
how each sample differed from others within the country.  Also, how was the overall sample size 
of participants determined?  
 
The authors mention that social desirability bias might have affected responses about study 
participation.  This seems likely, and it also seems possible that social desirability bias could 
impact more than just this one measure.  Did the participants see the qualitative study as part of 
the broader study, and provide responses that fit with the broader study's aims?  Did the study 
take any steps to promote accurate responses and reduce bias among the participants?  
 
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.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
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 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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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 n ow or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose 
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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 y ou have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
None  
 
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