Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: A cross -sectional evaluation of HIV testing prac tices amo ng women in the rural 
Dominican Republic  
 
Version: 1 Date: 29 Nov 2017  
 
Reviewer: Beth Meyerson  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This paper is an important contribution to the public health literature focused on DR and rural 
Caribbean areas.  
 
The paper was well writ ten, and the sampling was clear (while a bit complicated in the 
description).  
 
The fact that the study was the first to report findings for this population is the only reason to 
publish, as there is much literature that already discusses findings such as these. That said, the 
authors do state the fact that rural DR has yet to be studied.  Authors are encouraged to enhance 
the introduction/background with like studies from rural areas around the world.  
 
One minor typo noted: page 6, line 22: conducted medi cal clinics conducted. (Remove 
conducted).  
 
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  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 w ritten 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 r eimbursements, f ees, funding, or salary 
from an organisation that may in any way gain or lose financial ly 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 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. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests.  
 
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on my report to the authors and, if the manuscript is accepted f or publication, my named report 
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I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal