Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title:  Self-collection based HPV testing for cervical cancer screening among women living with 
HIV in Uganda: A descriptive analysis of knowledge, intentions to screen and factors associated 
with HPV positivity  
 
Version: 0 Date: 21 Jun 2016 
 
Reviewer:  Rachel  Ghebre  
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
1. The statement "Among women tested, 45% were oncogenic HPV positive,  
 
33% with HPV 16 or 18." in the abstract section should be written more accurately as stated in 
the result section. In that 6/40 wome n were HPV 16 or 18 positive, thus 15%.  
 
2. In table 2 it is unclear as to the number of women who had heard of HPV or cervical cancer 
screening, it is stated as 80. Yet 54 women reported having been advised to undergo cervical 
cancer screening.  
 
3. Less t han 30% of women followed up for colposscopy. Explanation for the process for 
colposcopy follow up within this study and additional information around the failure to follow up 
population would add value to the study report.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, pl ease 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.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by t he 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.  
 
Not relevant to this manuscript  
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 publica tion 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 
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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?  
 
5. Do you have any other fin ancial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
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below. If your reply is yes to any, please give detail s below.  
 
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