Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Association between obesity and abnormal Papanicolau(Pap) smear cytology results in a  
resource -poor Nigerian setting  
 
Version: 2 Date: 30 Sep 2019  
 
Reviewer: Li Cheung 
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Thank for your addressing some of my previous comments.  I am still confused about the larger 
pool of potential participants from which matching was conducted.  As currently described, it 
seems that 1,137 women had Pap smear screening at the center within the study period.  509 
were counseled for the study.  109 were excluded due to non -consent, smoking, abnormal blood 
sugar levels, and HIV infection.  The remaini ng 400 were then split evenly into 200 obese and 
non-obese and were perfectly matched by age.  That seems implausible.  Is there something that I 
am missing regarding the selection of matched populations?  
 
 
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.  
 
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 assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some langua ge corrections before being published  
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