Reviewer’s report
Title: Opportunistic domestic violence screening for pregnant and post-partum women by community  
based health care providers.
Version: 1 Date: 28 Oct 2017
Reviewer: Daisy Singla
Reviewer's report:
Thank you for the opportunity to review this manuscript. This manuscript has merit but requires some  
significant revisions to both the quality of writing as well as details related to the methods and results.  
My specific comments are appended below.
Abstract
-Why were facilitators, in addition to barriers, not examined for this analysis?  We know that  
examination  of  both  is  important  (e.g.,  see  Aboud  &  Singla,  2012,  Social  Science  and  
Medicine)
-What qualitative framework, if any, is used for these analyses? Simpy suggesting that qualitative  
responses were 'grouped' is not suffice. 
-Findings section: 
--> it is suggested that findings related to the quantitative/descriptive frequencies are detailed here. 
--> the authors mention that common barriers to domestic violence include 'lack of...confidence' -  
lack of confidence in what/whom?
Introduction
-p. 1, L6: '10 countries' - are these high income countries? low and middle income countries? The  
type of countries and how they were selected may have implications for the topic of domestic  
violence.
-how  is  'domestic  violence'  defined?  how  does  this  differ  from  other  terms  e.g.,  interpartner  
violence?
-p. 1, L48: "more frequently" than what? 
-p. 1, L53: spelling error "The reluctance of HCPs o screen" - is this supposed to be 'to'?
-general comments throughout manuscript: spell out acronyms before using them e.g., p. 2, L3  
'GPs', p. 2 L37 'NSWs' - while commonly used, it would be helpful to specify what you mean to  
avoid any confusion 
-the second paragraph on p. 2 should be added to the previous one - along it is difficult to  
contextualize.
METHODS
-how were participants selected? randomly? convenience sample?
-what is "RACGP"?
-what was the average age of participants (vs. the range of ages)?
-Data analysis: provide a copy of the survey used in the supplementary materials of appendix of this  
manuscript
RESULTS
-provide a flow chart of participant recruitment as a figure
-how was the sample size of N=48 determined?
-summarize qualitative and quantitative results in a table format - this would be particularly useful  
for the recommendations portion of this manuscript
-when presenting results, present the number and percentage of participants 
-L8 under 'training' - specify what you mean by 'majority' or L3 'a number of respondents' and  
'some of the respondents' under 'someone else will do it'. This is a common error throughout the  
results section of the manuscript which requires revision.
-how many (what percentage) of 'PPMs felt confident in the screening'...?
DISCUSSION
-L13: how do we know that this is 'unique to this study'?
-L43: what is the appropriate service for this suggestion?
-provide recommendations in a table format
Are the methods appropriate and well described?
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.
No
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.
No
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 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  
manuscript, either now or in the future?
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation 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 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.
None
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be published.
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