Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title:  Women’s Circles as a culturally safe psychosocial intervention in Guatemalan indigenous 
communities: a community -led pilot randomised trial  
 
Version: 0 Date: 28 Jan 2019 
 
Reviewer:  Shumayla  saifi 
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
Dear Authors,  
 
The trial which has been piloted in the current article will be a milestone in understanding the 
psycho -social  issues faced by women of LMIC and LIC. As we are awar e about the quantum of 
problem revolves around this umbrella concept of "Psycho -social" concern. and involving 
community worker to resolve such concern will be beneficial where a population cannot afford 
professional psychologist/physicians.  
 
The only conc ern i have is regarding the training of these CHWs who will be handling these 
"Women circles". To ensure that they have the better understanding of the situation as they are 
coming from the same background, socio -economic strata.  
 
SO it became the primary responsibility to ensure appropriate training of these CHWs.  
 
Also I have a query, one of the option of  the variable "Access to physical/emotional health 
provider" in table 1 "No one" showed significant difference between intervention and control 
group. A nd there are more numbers in intervention. Was that intentional that such women has 
been choosed  
 
 
Thank you  
 
All the best  
 
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 commen ts 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 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 l anguage in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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