Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Barriers to essential surgical care experienced by women in the two northernmost regions 
of Ghana: A cross -sectional survey  
 
 
Version: 0 Date: 17 Dec 2015  
 
 
Reviewer: Tarik  Sammour  
 
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
The authors have conducted a survey study of patient perceived barriers to surgical care in 
Northern Ghana.  
 
 
The study is well conducted within the limits of participant language barriers and expertly 
written.  
 
 
I only have one minor point:  
 
In the discu ssion the word "purposively" is used and this should be changed to "purposely".  
 
Otherwise I think the paper is worthy of publication.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specif y 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.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
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 requ ire 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:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interest s, 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 fut ure? 
 
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 cont ent 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 hav e 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 compet ing interests  
 
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