Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Use of emergency contraception among women with experience of domestic violence and 
abuse: a systematic review  
 
Version: 0 Date: 16 Aug 2018  
 
Reviewer: Margaret P. Kasaro  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Thanks for this work on an important  maternal and public health  concern. The description of 
the conduct  of the systematic review indicates that this was conducted according to acceptable 
standards. It is noted also that the meta analysis was not conducted due to the differences in 
definitions of DVA and  EC in the studies included in the systematic review. I have two 
comments:  
Comment 1 In the result section, I found it not very easy to follow the text presenting the 
findings. For example the way the studies are being referred to makes it hard to follow which one 
is being described unless one has to keep going back and forth on the tables and text. Line 183 - 
A further study.... Which one is this?  
Other examples are line 188 - One study....., line 192 the last study and lines 195 to 199.  
I have seen that  referring to authors and a place where studies are conducted make it easier to 
follow.  
Comment 2 The first conclusion/recommendation that  you have drawn may not be completely in 
line with opening paragraph of the  discussion. I suggest a relook at th e two sections and see if 
they are agreeing.  
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.  
 
No 
 
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 th e 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  
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?  
 
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.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal . I understand that my name will be included  
on my report to the authors and, if the manuscript is accepted for publication, my named report  
including any attachments I upload will be posted on the website along with the authors'  
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I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal