Title: Sexual Self-Care, Quality of Sexual Life and Fertility Desire in Women Attending
Comprehensive Health Centers in Urmia, Iran
Version: 0 Date: 29 Aug 2024
Reviewer's report:
Manuscript Tittle: Sexual Self-Care, Quality of Sexual Life and Fertility Desire in Women
Attending Comprehensive Health Centers in Urmia, Iran
Comments to the author
Abstract
This abstract presents a well-structured study with clear objectives and significant findings. Here
are some comments and suggestion for better improvement of the manuscript:
• Consider providing a bit more detail on the specific aspects of sexual self-care and quality of
sexual life that were measured. This would give readers a better understanding of the study's
scope.
• The use of a multistage sampling method and a sample size of 384 women adds robustness to
the study. It might be helpful to briefly mention the reliability and validity of the questionnaires
used, as this would strengthen the credibility of the findings.
• The use of one-way ANOVA, independent t-test, and multiple regression is appropriate for
analyzing the data. Including the specific statistical values (e.g., F-values, t-values) in the results
section could provide more depth and allow readers to better assess the significance of the
findings.
• The finding that sexual self-care and quality of sexual life account for 92.8% of the variance
in fertility desire is particularly striking. It would be beneficial to discuss potential reasons for
this high percentage in the full manuscript.
• Consider suggesting specific types of educational programs or counseling interventions that
could be implemented based on the study's findings.
Background of the study
• Ensure smooth transitions between paragraphs to maintain a logical flow of ideas. For example,
linking the discussion on sexual dysfunction directly to its impact on fertility desire can enhance
readability.
• Provide specific examples or statistics where possible to support statements. For instance,
mentioning specific studies or data on the prevalence of sexual dysfunction can add depth.
• Ensure consistency in terminology. For example, use "fertility desire" consistently instead of
alternating with "fertility preferences."
• Highlight the relevance of the study to the local context in Urmia, Iran. This can help readers
understand the specific significance of the research.
• Ensure all references are up-to-date and relevant. Including recent studies can strengthen the
background section. Eg: check reference #3, 5, 11, 12 etc
Methods
• Clearly state all inclusion and exclusion criteria for participants. While you mention non-
pregnant, generally healthy females of reproductive age, it would be helpful to specify any other
criteria used to select participants.
• Provide more information on the development, validation, and administration of the
questionnaires. While you mention the reliability and validity indices, a brief description of how
these were determined would add depth.
• Include information on how the questionnaires were administered (e.g., self-administered,
interviewer-administered) and the setting in which data collection took place.
• Expand on the ethical approval process, by including the specific review board and consent
procedures. Mention the specific ethical review board that approved the study and any consent
procedures followed to ensure participants' rights and confidentiality.
• Describe the data cleaning process and provide more detail on the statistical methods used.
This includes handling missing data, outliers, and any transformations applied to the data.
• Provide more detail on the statistical methods used. For example, explain why one-way
ANOVA, independent t-test, and multiple regression were chosen and how they were applied
to the data.
• Explain how the sample size of 384 was determined. Explain how this number was determined,
considering the study's objectives and the statistical power required.
• Mention any potential limitations of the study design or methodology.
• Ensure all references cited in the methods section are included in the reference list. Eg: check
references #14??
Result
• Ensure that all statistical terms and values are clearly explained for readers who may not be
familiar with them.
• Maintain consistency in reporting percentages and statistical values. For example, ensure that
all percentages are reported to the same decimal place.
• Refer to tables and figures more explicitly in the text to guide readers. For example, mention
"as shown in Table 1" or "according to Table 3."
• Provide a brief interpretation of the key findings in the text to help readers understand the
significance of the results.
• Clarify the inverse relationship between cancer prevention and fertility desire, and discuss
potential reasons for this finding.
Discussion
• Ensure that the discussion clearly links the study's findings to the existing literature. This will
help readers understand how your results fit into the broader context.
• Maintain consistency in terminology and ensure all references are correctly cited.
• Provide more in-depth analysis of the key findings, particularly the inverse relationship
between cancer prevention and fertility desire.
• Discuss the practical implications of your findings in more detail, including how they can
inform sexual health education and policy.
• Briefly mention any limitations of the study and suggest areas for future research at the end
of the paragraph of the discussion section.
Conclusion
• Ensure that the conclusion clearly links back to the study's objectives and findings.
• Expand on the practical implications of the findings, particularly how sexual health education
and empowerment can be implemented.
• Suggest areas for future research to build on the study's findings.
• Maintain consistency in terminology, such as using "fertility desire" throughout.
References
Better to recheck some references, which are out of date and old