Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Perception of Beninese on Intimate Partner Violence: Evidence from 2011 -2012 Benin 
Demographic Health Survey  
 
Version: 0 Date: 08 Apr 2018  
 
Reviewer: Omar Shaaban  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This is a descriptive retrospective study of the data of the 2012 Benin DHS. They are studying 
the data in relation to the perception of intimat e partner violence in Benin.  Although intimate 
partner violence is an important issue that should be discussed and asking for a real solve   
 
I do have several concern regarding this work  
1. The idea of local importance to health care professionals and does not carry any message 
that can be extrapolated to other societies  
 
2. First face to face interview is not the write way to ask about intimate partner violence, 
people usually fill this DH S in groups and with no complete privacy. This is usually under -
estimation  
 
3. The conclusions drown "acceptance of intimate violence is a barrier to health service " not 
our subject in the manuscript  
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.  
 
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:  
 
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 from an  
organisation that may in a ny 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 interest s' 
below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests'  
 
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on my report to the authors and, if the manusc ript is accepted for publication, my named report  
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I agree to the open peer review policy of the jou rnal