Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title:  Experiences of being screened for intimate partner viole nce during pregnancy: a 
qualitative study of women in Japan  
 
Version: 0 Date: 23 Jun 2017 
 
Reviewer:  Ping-Hsin  Chen  
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
Intimate partner violence (IPV) has negative health effects on women's health. Women are more 
vulnerable to violence during pregnancy, and therefore, IPV screening ha s been recommended 
during prenatal care. However, the prevalence of IPV screening remains low. This study aimed 
to describe women's experiences of IPV screening during pregnancy and identify the benefits 
and harms of IPV screening. Descriptive quantitative  analysis and qualitative content analysis 
were used in this study. The manuscript is well written and organized. However, the authors need 
to check for typos. Findings from the study may help promote IPV awareness for health care 
providers and their patie nts, which in turn may improve women's health and safety.  
 
 
Other comments:  
 
Study Setting and Participants  
 
Line 25: The authors need to define "severe illness".  
 
Lines 34 -46: It is not clear why patients were screened at 35 weeks. Why not earlier? Since  
women are more vulnerable to violence during pregnancy, women should be screened at the first 
prenatal visit for early detection of IPV.  
  
 
Discussion  
 
This section is too long. The authors may consider shortening the "Benefits of IPV Screening" 
section.  
 
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.  
 
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 wri tten English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
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 
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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?  
 
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6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
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