Reviewer ’s report  
Title: A cluster randomised controlled trial to assess the imp act on  intimate partner violence of a 
10-session participatory gender training programme delivered to wo men taking part in a 
groupbased microfinance loan scheme in Tanzania (MAISHA CRT01): study protocol  
 
Version: 2 Date: 19 Jan 2018  
 
Reviewer: Suzannah Cree ch 
 
Reviewer's report:   
I would like to thank the authors for their careful revision of  this manuscript describing their 
important study. The clarity is greatly improved. This is an impressive undertaking.  
 
I still firmly believe it is important to remove th e women completing photo voice and individual 
interviews from the primary analyses as this is extra intervention that the other women did not 
receive. The authors could at least make a plan to ensure results do not differ when these women 
are included.  
 
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.  
Yes 
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 th e 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.  
I am able to assess the statistics  
Quality of wri tten 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 fr om 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 t hat may in any way gain or lose 
financially from the publication o f 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 
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which I do not wish to be included in my named report ca n be included as confidential comments 
to the editors, which will not be published.  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal