Title: Factors explaining men’s intentions to support their partner’s participation in cervical
cancer screening
Version: 2 Date: 17 Jun 2022
Reviewer:  Suhailah Mohammed Ali
Reviewer's report:
This was a survey carried out among Indian male partners of sexually active women to measure
knowledge of cervical cancer and attitude towards screening as well as exploring  the factors
that determine the male  partners’ support to their wives’ using a modified version of the Theory
of Planned Behavior. The findings showed that men need to be involved in awareness programs
related to cervical cancer and screening. These findings confirm the importance of the interaction
of the male with their wife to raise their awareness on the need for cervical screening. However,
it may be beneficial for the author to publish as two distinct studies and refer to the modified
TPB as pilot work. Clearly, the study's implications for practice appeared reasonable.
Looking to the abstract, methods section, it is unclear to the reader how many Indian men
participated in this survey (sample size) or when was this study conducted, how long it has taken
(the start and end date of data collection).
Introduction, is well written and provides clear justification in accordance with relevant studies.
Authors clearly explained the burden of cervical cancer in Low- and Middle Income countries
like India. However, there are a few issues that must be addressed:-
Page 3, line 54-55, ‘’Cancer is a chronic illness and fourth most common cancer among women
that represents one of the largest global burdens of disease’’. It is unclear to the reader which
organ cancer you are referring to? This should be supported by a reference
Page 3, line 75-76,’’ Although approved, only the affluent have a choice to be vaccinated in
India’’. This statement is impressive and needs further clarity and relevant evidence.
Page 6, line 137-148, these details should be moved to the section on methods and materials.
Methods and Materials,
Page 7, line 179, authors stated ‘’As a first step, cervical cancer screening centres were identified
across the state’. How many cervical screening centres established in Karnataka, a southern state
of India?
Page 8, line 187, please include a paragraph describing the participant recruiting procedure as
well as the setting.
Page 8 line 188, ‘’The study included 500 men who met the eligibility criteria’’, here you need
to add the inclusion and exclusion criteria. This needs to be stated.
Page 8, line 188-194, I would suggest to referee to the table which demonstrate the demographic
characteristics of the participants
Page 8, line 207-241, ‘’the resulting questionnaire consisted of five sections…etc.’’ This need
to be illustrated in a table.
Page 14, line 321-338, the results of the applied TPB are very light.  t is not clear to the reader
how the researchers applied the modified TPB among the male participants. Clarity is needed
to indicate what is referred as modified TBP? How the modified TPB model among males was
tested? What tool was used (open/closed ended questions). More information regarding this
section of the questionnaire is required.
Discussion,
Page 17, line 387, ‘’were performed in Low-middle income countries[42] [46]’’. Error in
referencing style.