Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Prevalence and Predictors of Help -seeking for Women Exposed to Spousal Violence in 
India - a cross -sectional study  
 
Version: 0 Date: 07 Apr 2016  
 
Reviewer: Linda Bullock  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This manuscript makes  a contribution to the science of intimate partner violence (IPV) and 
women's help -seeking behaviors in India by using cross -sectional data from the India National 
Family Health Survey collected between 2005 - 2006.  This is a well -written paper, the title  
adequately describes the study and the abstract is specific and adequately structured.  
Background:  Background material is presented regarding the prevalence of IPV in India and 
cultural aspects unique to India that may be a deterrent for women seeking he lp.  This 
information is contrasted with studies in other parts of the world.  The organization of this 
section could be improved with the use of sub -headings.  The purpose of the study is clearly 
stated.  
Methods: The study design and the database used for  this study are very well described including 
how the authors operationalized IPV for this study (used the term spousal abuse since all women 
were married).  The questions used to construct each of the violence variables are stated.  The 
description of the  independent and dependent variables are also very clearly stated and how they 
fit into Heise's Ecological Model of Violence against Women is also very well described.  
Data analysis:  The data were analyzed using STATA and this is described and appears 
appropriate for the study.  
Results:  The results are adequately presented and the tables are helpful in interpreting the 
trustworthiness of the findings.  
Discussion:  The section of the discussion of how the results from this study fit into the 
ecological mod el is important and adds to the literature.  However, the discussion lacks depth in 
how the findings moves the science forward and the policy implications are weak and seemingly 
contradictory to the introduction.  For instance, one of the policy implicatio ns was just to educate 
police officers and the criminal law system.  An important implication that was stated was 
ensuring all children complete primary education to help empower women.  A more in -depth 
discussion of how the results can be used to advocate  for this and how this could be achieved 
would strengthen the findings.   
 
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 con trols 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 a ble 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  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have yo u 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 org anisation 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 reimbu rsements, 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 relatio n 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  
 
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