Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Acceptability and feasibility of the CHARISMA counseling intervention to support women’s use of
pre-exposure prophylaxis
Version: 
0 
Date: 
11 Nov 2020
Reviewer's report:
Thank you for inviting me to review this manuscript titled: "Acceptability and feasibility of the
CHARISMA counselling intervention to support 2 women's use of pre-exposure prophylaxis"
This study presents important fore-knowledge to a study and intervention addressing concerns around
gender norms, gender-based violence, intimate partner violence, HIV/AIDs and other STIs.
The study is generally well written, background is concise, methodology detailed, results were clearly
presented, and discussion was fairly adequate.
Below are some comments/queries:
- Indicate in the study title that this is a pilot study
- Line 40, pg 1 and line 381 pg 19: Correct the sentence that reads "….randomised controlled trial in
which participants are receive…"
- The conclusion section of the abstract solely detailed the perceived feasibility by the workers. Consider
including information on the acceptability from the participants' perspective too. 
- Did the investigators just make use of the women involved in the MTN HOPE study for CHARISMA
pilot? Or is the CHARISMA intervention a part of the MTN HOPE project? If the latter is the case, why is
the pilot of a study which has commenced recruitment since 2016 just being submitted for publication?
- Line 95, pg 6, who are the "…they received…" referring to? The participants or the lay counselors? It is
important to be precise to avoid ambiguity. 
- In Table, is "Any physical or sexual violence, past 12 months" supposed to be a title or not? The 12%
related to this row in the table was reported for being slapped, hit or beaten in the text. 
Please verify.
- The authors should avoid repeating a bulk of the results in the discussion section to make this section
more concise.
DECISION: Accept after minor revision
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Is the study design appropriate to answer the research question (including the use of appropriate controls),
and are the conclusions supported by the evidence presented?
Yes
Are the methods sufficiently described to allow the study to be repeated?
Yes
Is the use of statistics and treatment of uncertainties appropriate?
Yes
Is the presentation of the work clear?
Yes
Are the images in this manuscript (including electrophoretic gels and blots) free from apparent
manipulation?
Yes