Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: An exploratory study of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs r elated to tobacco use and 
secondhand smoke among women in Aleta Wondo, Ethiopia  
 
Version: 0 Date: 06 Feb 2017  
 
Reviewer: Kamran Siddiqi  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This is a well conducted cross -sectional survey among women in Ethiopia with interesting and 
useful findings. The paper is generally well written. However, there are a few issue s that need 
addressing.  
The abstract should mention the sampling method and the response rate i.e. how many women 
were approached and how many consented to take part in the survey.  
The introduction should be shortened to retain readers' interest. There  is a lot of general and 
established information on tobacco, its harms, and control which can be reduced down to few 
sentences. I suggest keeping the focus on women, tobacco -related risks and Africa.  
In the methods, please provide more information on the  sampling frame and the sample. How 
many women/households were in the sampling frame? Did you select more than one woman 
from one household?  
How was the inclusion criteria justified, given the research question? For example, restricting it 
to the age of 55 , being the primary cook, and household with children. This could limit the 
external validity of the findings.  
How was the sample size estimated?  
I am not sure why associations between independent variables and tobacco -related knowledge, 
beliefs and attit udes were not explored further? I am not sure if I followed authors' explanation.  
Given the emphasis on SHS exposure in women in LMICs in the introduction, It would have 
been good to see this area explored further. Beyond asking about their perceptions on the harms 
of SHS, more questions could have been asked to see if and how they protect themselves from 
SHS; and whether they consider it to be harmful to their children or during pregnancy.  
The limitations should include lack of generalisability due to no n-representative sample selected 
from one city rather than nationally and with rather restrictive inclusion criteria.  
 
 
Are the methods appropriate and well 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.  
 
No 
 
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 wha t 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:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a d eclaration 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  
manu script, 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 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 to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financia l 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 be low. 
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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