Title: Impact of HPV Test Results and Emotional Responses on Psychosocial Burden Among
Taiwanese Women: A Cross-Sectional Study
Version: 0 Date: 11 Aug 2024
Reviewer:  Georgios Michail
Reviewer's report:
This submission represents a cross sectional KAB study assessing the possible impact inflicted
by receiving positive molecular HPV results on a selected female Taiwanese population.
There is already abundance of similar studies (of various quality) conducted in a plethora of
settings. However, with the growing implementation of HPV-based cervical screening, any new
contribution merits consideration.
Title “The Effects of Testing Results and of Positive and Negative Affect” is complicated and
could be revised to attract readers. The study’s setting (Taiwanese population) can be also
included in the title.
Abstract: Informative and well-composed. Abstract/Conclusion “professionals could provide
timely HPV information and reserve time for women to ask questions, which could decrease
their distress after receiving the report” represents a clear message addressing the core problem.
Introduction: “Since HPV testing has become a preferred type of screening accompanying
Pap testing”: Co-testing has questionable cost-effectiveness; several health systems have long
shifted to primary molecular screening which also allows the implementation of self-sampling
strategies. The authors do acknowledge this fact in the next paragraph (Background).
The Background section is comprehensive.
Background, 2nd paragraph: “The widespread adoption of HPV testing is cause for concern”
is potentially misleading and might be altered to “The psychological impact of the widespread
adoption of HPV testing is cause for concern”
Methods: The authors adopt an analytical approach which is indeed justified. In the
“Instruments” subsection, the use of 4 individual validated questionnaires provides a thorough
and comprehensive consideration.
Results: These are predictable and anticipated by large, based on existing literature.
Discussion: This section is well appointed, summarizing previous literature. However, it is
somewhat lengthy, in essence a narrative review.
2nd paragraph “was lower than that of Indian women” to avoid possible misconceptions can be
rephrased to “was lower than the observed rates in a similar study conducted in India” or so.
4th paragraph “Rare studies directly explored the relationship” can be rephrased to “few studies
have previously explored the relationship”.
5th paragraph, again “Rare studies directly explored the relationship” can be rephrased to “few
studies have previously explored the relationship”, or similar.
As it applies for most KAB studies, the results reflect people’s perceptions, cultural and ethnic
beliefs, therefore are not globally generalizable. The authors do acknowledge this fact in the last
paragraph of the Discussion section; however, they might consider adding to the article’s title
“in a Taiwanese population”.
Conclusions section is concise and not lengthy. The authors correctly identify enhanced
knowledge as the main negative contributor that needs addressing, this should be preceded by
good knowledge on HPV of physicians and health professionals.
References are current