Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Effectiveness of message framing on women's intention to perform cytomegalovirus  
prevent ion behaviors: A cross -sectional study  
 
Version: 0 Date: 07 Nov 2016  
 
Reviewer: Gail J Harrison  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Dr Thackery and colleagues provide a thorough and scholarly pres entation of messaging options 
to consider for CMV prevention messages, that have the goal of reducing CMV transmission to 
pregnant women and then congenital CMV infection and disease, which is a major public health 
problem with no vaccine.   
 
They adequatel y provide background of the issue, the methodology and results and the 
limitations.  
 
My only suggestion is perhaps a mild reduction in the methodology narrative because they are 
adequately referenced and the length of the methods portion stalls the paper ju st a little. I know 
and concede methods are very important and key in research, but here it may be shorted just a 
little, if needed.   
 
Also, do the authors think knowing the CMV serologic status of the women would influence 
their acceptance or intent to pr actice the precautions?  Is this important or tangential to the 
messaging efforts?  
 
 
 
 
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 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 a ssess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
 
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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