Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Effectiveness of a Culturally Tailored SMS Alcohol Inte rvention for Same -Sex Attracted 
Women: Protocol for an RCT  
 
Version: 0 Date: 13 Nov 2018  
 
Reviewer: Toby Lea  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This paper describes the protocol for a randomised contr olled trial of a SMS intervention for 
alcohol use for same -sex attracted women (SSAW) in Australia. The paper is well -written and 
the study protocol is clearly described. This is an important topic, and as far as I am aware is the 
first study of its kind f ocused on SSAW. This study has the potential to make an important 
contribution to the field and improve alcohol use outcomes for SSAW, and I look forward to 
seeing the results.  
 
 
I only have minor comments which the authors may wish to consider.  
 
 
1. Introdu ction: could some additional, brief information be provided about the populations 
studied in SMS interventions conducted to date described in the systematic review?  
 
 
2. Methods: a brief description of the Rainbow Women's Help -Seeking study and the 
ALICE stu dy, from which study participants may be recruited, would be helpful.  
 
 
3. Methods: the baseline survey asks about gender identity. Are transgender women 
eligible? What about non -binary and other gender diverse people?  
 
 
4. Intervention: could the authors incl ude examples of the text messages provided to the 
intervention group in a Figure?  
 
 
5. Intervention Mapping framework: the logic model of change could be more clearly 
described, as well as what steps 4, 5 and 6 entail. Are steps 5 and 6 (evaluation) carried 
out after the study is completed? On lines 251 -2, the authors state that this paper is 
concerned with steps 5 and 6, an evaluation of the intervention, but the current 
manuscript is a description of the study protocol.  
 
 
6. Measures: For the AUDIT, please de scribe the score range and what a score of 8+ means. 
This is important as it is as an eligibility criterion for participation. Likewise for other 
measures, please ensure that the scoring is well described and how to interpret higher 
scores.  
 
 
7. Services: fo r Australia -specific services (e.g., Lifeline), a brief description of what these 
services do would be good for an international audience.  
 
 
8. Figure 1 was not included in the files available to me for review, so I could not comment 
on this.  
 
 
9. Table 1: As the intervention group provides data each week on alcohol use, the alcohol 
use row should be amended to reflect this.  
 
 
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.  
 
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 t he manus cript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please speci fy 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 any  way gain or lose financially from the publication of this 
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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. I f your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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