Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Prevalence of human papillomavirus infection among women from quilombo communities 
in Northeastern Brazil  
 
Version: 0 Date: 22 Dec 2016  
 
Reviewer: Peizhong Peter Wang  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
I am not quite familiar with many technical details presented in the paper.  Overall this was a 
well-planned and executed study.  The manuscript is of a heavy information load and the length 
can be trimmed to accommodate international readers.    
1) Page 7:  Detection of HPV :   This section can be greatly reduced.  
2) Page 7:  Statistical analysis:  It was not clear  why multivariate statistical analyses were not 
performed.   
3) Page 7: ethical Aspects:  1 -2 sentences should be sufficient  
4) Page 10, Results:  This section has too many unnecessary details.  There is no need to repeat 
what has been clearly shown in th e tables.   
5) There seems to be a lot of discussion around the findings concerning the group less than 30 
years of age. It makes sense that they have a high prevalence of HPV positivity; this is 
typically due to increased sexual activity, more partners, e tc. There was little discussion on 
the persistence of the infections, I know it isn't a longitudinal study, but it is important to note 
the recommendations for higher age minimums for screening programs, due to the 
persistence of HPV infections. I am a lit tle concerned about the amount of discussion about 
the findings of this lower age groupings, and I do wonder what their bottom line 
recommendation/ conclusion is. It has been widely established that HPV positivity will be 
high in that group, which is fine for the majority, because they are able to clear these 
infections. Those that persist as women age become the real worry.  
6) Tables: The number of tables should be reduced. This can be done by reducing the number of 
categories under some variables, educati on (elementary or lower, high school or higher), 
origin (can be taken off), marital status (married, others),  or by combing tables.   
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify wha t 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.  
 
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 f urther  
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 language corrections before being published  
 
Declaration of competing inte rests  
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  
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 f or 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.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
'I declare that I have no competing interests' below.  
 
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