Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: "The sun keeps rising but darkness surrounds us": a quali tative exploration of the lived 
experiences of women with obstetric fistula in Ethiopia  
 
Version: 6 Date: 11 Dec 2018  
 
Reviewer: Solina Richter  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This is the 3rd time I am reviewing this manuscript.  I have notices that you have attended to my 
previous suggestions.   
 
 
The paper however still need extensive editing. There is multiple editorial edits needed.  
 
 
Except for editorial changes, some sentences need rephrasing.   
 
 
The sections on trustworthiness can be expanded.   
 
 
The subheading under the themes can be removed to make the flow easier.   
 
 
I also believe that the implications section can be strengt hened and more explicit suggested made 
for practice, education and policy making.  
 
 
I have uploaded a copy of the manuscript to demonstrate my suggestions.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 t he 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 manus cript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please speci fy what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
Not relevant to this manuscript  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the qualit y of language in the manuscript:  
 
Not suitable for p ublication unless extensively edited  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years receive d reimbursements, f ees, funding, or salary from an 
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financial ly 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 ga in 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 sala ry 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?  
If you can answ er 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.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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on my report to the authors and, if the manuscript is accepted f or publication, my named report 
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to the editors, which will not be published.  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal