Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practices of female genital  mutilation and cutting  
(FGM/C) among United Arab Emirates population  
 
Version: 0 Date: 27 Aug 2019  
 
Reviewer: Evelyn Sakeah  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Title: Prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practices of female genital mutilation and cutting 
(FGM/C) among United Arab Emirates population  
Version Date: 27th August, 2019  
Reviewer: Dr. Evelyn Sakeah  
 
Reviewer's Report:  
This manuscript addresses prevalence,  knowledge, attitudes and practices of female genital 
mutilation. The topic of KAP is of great importance in global public health.  
 
Abstract  
1. State the burden of FGM in world and the country the study has been conducted  
2. Do not repeat the results belo w in the conclusion. Tell us what lessons were learned 
from the findings.  
 
Introduction  
1.  There is no clear focus and the background is too long. The introduction and 
background should be summarized.  
2. Statistics on the burden of FGM should be first in the introduction: world, sub -Saharan 
Africa and then the study country  
3. Why should I take your results as new and useful? Have similar studies be conducted in 
the study country? Justify why it was necessary for the study to be conducted -show the gaps th e 
authors filled in research.  
 
Methods  
1. There is need to indicate this: "A questionnaire -based cross -sectional study" just simply 
say a cross -sectional study. Your explanation will show that you use a questionnaire for the data 
collection  
2. More informat ion about the questionnaire would enhance the methods section.  
3. Could the authors add a map showing the location of the study sites in United Arab 
Emirates?  
4. Indicate the reason why you chose United Arab Emirates University (UAEU),  
5. 140 Fatima Colle ge of Health Sciences (FCHS), and Al Ain Hospital (AAH), including 
patients, 141 students and university staff.  
6. Study methods should be separated from the study area  
7. Under Methods and materials, show study site; study design , sample and sampling and  
then the training of fieldworkers  
 
Training  
Indicate the training given to interviewers and how long the training was conducted  
 
Sample and Sampling technique  
1. Indicate the sample and show your sampling technique in arriving at that sample  
 
Analysis  
1. In the analysis section, indicate the independent and dependent variables  
 
Results  
1. Under the Socio Demographic characteristics section, which includes all other sub -
headings: You do not need to repeat all the descriptive statistics from table 1, 2, 3 an d 4 in the 
text  
2.  The paper could more succinctly present the findings by limiting redundant statements 
in the results  
 
Discussion  
1. Start your discussion by summarizing your results in the first paragraph  
2. In the discussion, after authors have com pared the results with findings of other studies, 
they should be able to give reasons why the results are the way they are. Authors have not been 
able to give compelling reasons for their findings.  
3. Use more literature to support your discussion  
 
Conclu sion 
1. Maybe it would be useful to rework the Conclusion section somewhat, by giving more 
detailed messages/recommendations relating to the findings  
2. Quality of Written English: Not suitable for publication unless extensively edited  
 
Consenting  
Indica te participants consent before interview and show Institutional Review Approval number 
Title: Prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practices of female genital mutilation and cutting 
(FGM/C) among United Arab Emirates population  
Version Date: 27th August, 20 19 
Reviewer: Dr. Evelyn Sakeah  
 
Reviewer's Report:  
This manuscript addresses prevalence, knowledge, attitudes and practices of female genital 
mutilation. The topic of KAP is of great importance in global public health.  
 
 
 
 
 
Abstract  
3. State the burden of FGM in world and the country the study has been conducted  
4. Do not repeat the results below in the conclusion. Tell us what lessons were learned 
from the findings.  
 
Introduction  
4.  There is no clear focus and the background is too lon g. The introduction and 
background should be summarized.  
5. Statistics on the burden of FGM should be first in the introduction: world, sub -Saharan 
Africa and then the study country  
6. Why should I take your results as new and useful? Have similar studie s be conducted in 
the study country? Justify why it was necessary for the study to be conducted -show the gaps the 
authors filled in research.  
 
Methods  
8. There is need to indicate this: "A questionnaire -based cross -sectional study" just simply 
say a cross -sectional study. Your explanation will show that you use a questionnaire for the data 
collection  
9. More information about the questionnaire would enhance the methods section.  
10. Could the authors add a map showing the location of the study sites in United  Arab 
Emirates?  
11. Indicate the reason why you chose United Arab Emirates University (UAEU),  
12. 140 Fatima College of Health Sciences (FCHS), and Al Ain Hospital (AAH), including 
patients, 141 students and university staff.  
13. Study methods should be s eparated from the study area  
14. Under Methods and materials, show study site; study design , sample and sampling and 
then the training of fieldworkers  
 
Training  
Indicate the training given to interviewers and how long the training was conducted  
Sample a nd Sampling technique  
2. Indicate the sample and show your sampling technique in arriving at that sample  
 
Analysis  
2. In the analysis section, indicate the independent and dependent variables  
 
Results  
3. Under the Socio Demographic characteristics section, which includes all other sub -
headings: You do not need to repeat all the descriptive statistics from table 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the 
text  
4.  The paper could more succinctly present the findings by limiting  redundant statements 
in the results  
 
 
 
 
Discussion  
4. Start your discussion by summarizing your results in the first paragraph  
5. In the discussion, after authors have compared the results with findings of other studies, 
they should be able to give reasons why the results are the way they are. Authors have not been 
able to give compelling reasons for their findings.  
6. Use more literature to support your discussion  
 
Conclusion  
3. Maybe it would be useful to rework the Conclusion section somewhat, by giving more 
detailed messages/recommendations relating to the findings  
4. Quality of Written English: Not suitable for publication unless extensively edited  
 
Consenting  
1. Indicate participants consent before interview and institutional review approval number  
 
Limitations  
1. Indicate the weaknesses of the study - I think that using different strategies (face to face, 
email etc) may have their own advantages and disadvantages and that might have contributed to 
the results. That must be stated clearly.  
 
List of Abbreviations Used  
1. List all abbreviations used in this paper  
 
Limitations  
2. Indicate the weaknesses of the study - I think that using different strategies (face to face, 
email etc) may have their own advantages and disadvantages and that might have contributed to 
the results. That must be stated clearly.  
 
List of Abbreviations Used  
2. List all abbreviations used in this paper  
 
 
Are the methods appropriate and w ell 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.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported 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 s tatistical 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 manuscript:  
 
Not suitable for publication unless extensively edited  
 
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 now or in the fut ure? 
 
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'  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal. I understand that my name will be included  
on my report to the authors and, if the manuscript is acce pted for publication, my named report  
including any attachments I upload will be posted on the website along with the authors'  
responses. I agree for my report to be made available under an Open Access Creative Commons  
CC-BY license ( http://creativecommons .org/licenses/by/4.0/ ). I understand that any comments  
which I do not wish to be included in my named report can be included as confidential comments  
to the editors, which will not be published.  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal