Title: Knowledge of Cervical Cancer Screening among Omani Women Attending a University
Teaching Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study
Version: 1 Date: 13 Oct 2023
Reviewer:  Kuralay Kongrtay
Reviewer's report:
The topic of HPV and cervical cancer remains significant, especially in LMICs.There are two
important instruments in the elimination of cervical cancer: vaccination and nationwide cancer
screening programs that should be popularized among governmental authorities and population
education should be provided. Thank you for rising such awareness via this manuscript.  After
reading and revising the manuscript some constructive feedback is provided below.
Introduction: • It's a strong start with a well-defined background and a clear introduction of the
problem. Please, consider providing more recent statistics by 2020 at least, as the data mentioned
is from 2018. Also the statistical data on incidence rate of cervical cancer among Omani women
can be provided.
Methods: The description of the study design and data collection is comprehensive.
Mentioning  the questionnaire's validation and pre-testing  is important for reliability.
The detailed breakdown of the questionnaire sections was provided, which is informative.
However, some answer options in the questionnarie can be described as well.
Results: The presentation of results is clear and easy to follow. It's helpful to include descriptive
statistics and tables to summarize the findings.  Please consider adding more discussion and
interpretation of the results. For example, discuss why certain factors (like marital status) are
associated with better knowledge or willingness for screening.
Discussion:  The discussion section is comprehensive and well-structured.
The comparison of  findings with previous studies adds context. However,  more insight into
why there are differences in knowledge and attitudes across different countries or regions can be
provided. Cultural or healthcare system factors might be at play. It would be helpful to discuss
the implications of your findings for public health and suggest practical steps for improving
awareness and promoting screening.
Conclusion: The conclusion is clear and summarizes the key points effectively.
Consider emphasizing the importance of further research in Oman or LMICs and what specific
aspects researchers should focus on in future studies.
In order to improve the manuscript, more context can be provided for readers who may not be
familiar with Oman or the healthcare system in LMICs. Moreover, please ensure consistency in
the presentation of data, such as using the same format for percentages (e.g., 55.0% and 75.5%).
Proofread for grammar and spelling errors to enhance the overall readability of the manuscript.
In addition,  a brief discussion on the limitations of this study can be discussed  as this can help
readers understand the potential biases or constraints.
Overall, this manuscript is well-structured and provides valuable insights into the knowledge
and attitudes regarding cervical cancer and Pap smear testing among Omani women. With a few
refinements and a deeper discussion of the implications of your findings, it will be even more
informative and impactful.