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: 25 Apr 2017  
 
Reviewer: William Rawlinson  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
General  
 
1. The US authors evaluated how message framing affected women's intention to perform 
(not actual performance)  CMV prevention behaviour using online survey of 840 
pregnant women. They showed intention to perform CMV preventive measures was 
dependent on preceding CMV knowledge (present i n 15.5%), message credibility, 
perceived CMV severity, behavioural control and response efficacy. Approximately half 
to two thirds of respondents indicated they intended behaviour change following seeing 
the CMV fact sheet. This led the authors to suggest messaging around avoiding kissing 
on the lips and sharing as foci.  
 
 
 
2. The authors have researched an important area, and provided good background for the 
potential researchers in this area. However, this is a particular population without any 
discussion of  how the population differs from others.  
 
 
 
Specific Comments  
 
P4l12 Women exposed in the second and third trimester can also have infected fetuses, and these 
may be affected by CMV.  
 
 
P4l13 CMV vaccines are available, they are either ineffective or unlicensed . 
 
 
P4l18 The Harrison 2015 reference is a good summary of the issues, but inappropriate here as it 
is a consensus paper  
 
 
P7l9 The use of the structure regarding the questions is atypical for a research paper. It would be 
useful to integrate these more clearly into the text, as repetition of these in the results and 
discussion is not undertaken, making the paper harder to rea d. 
P8l1 Here and elsewhere, the authors should justify why they chose this design?  
 
 
P8l16 Does previous consent result in bias?  
 
 
P15l8 How did the authors correct for number of comparisons performed?  
 
 
P19l16 This is an important observation  
 
 
Figures are excel lent 
 
Tables are too numerous - Table 3 could be in the text and tables 4/5 could be supplementary 
material.  
 
 
 
 
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.  
 
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 further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I recommend additional statistical review  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
Declaration of competing interests  
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below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
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