Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Practices and complications of pubic hair removal among Saudi women  
 
Version: 2 Date: 07 Feb 2018  
 
Reviewer: Thomas W. Gaither  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
The majority of revisions have been appropriately completed. There are still major flaws:  
- The conclusions are not supported by the data presented. It is unclear why the authors focus 
on "requiring treatment" as to me this was not the aim of  the study. They did not assess what 
treatment even was. It is hard to understand what this means. I also believe the authors 
present prevalences like a representative sample was obtained. This just needs to be 
reworded. As stated, it still reads that thes e results are representative of all Saudi women. 
Why not conclude something based off the model results? The relative measures are most 
likely to be more representative than absolute measures such as prevalence, especially in a 
non-representative sample.   
 
- The statistical model needs work. I would advise the authors to seek a statistical consult. 
First, it is still unclear as written how the model was developed. They say "stepwise" 
regression? And then they say they just kept variables they thought were i mportant. So which 
variables were which? The overall aim of the model is unclear. Additionally, why present 
decimal places to 7 placeholders? Certainly, this level of precision isn't necessary. Another 
major flaw to the model is that it seems like everythi ng is treated like a continuous variable 
or the reference group is unclear. How can there be one OR for "mode of removal"??  
 
Minor edits:  
- Please describe in the manuscript what "sugaring" is  
- Please provide a response proportion   
Are the methods appropriate and well describe d? 
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
  
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 suppor ted by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
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 am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscr ipt: 
 
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 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 n ow 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 t o 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 int erests' 
below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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