PONE-D-19-34140

Where are patients missed in the tuberculosis diagnostic cascade?  A prospective cohort study in Ghana

PLOS ONE

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HASNAIN SEYED EHTESHAM

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Additional Editor Comments:

I have gone through this manuscript and also the comments of both the Reviewers. The Authors may need to address all comments raised by both the reviewers to add more value to this manuscript. My decision is Minor revision.

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Reviewers' comments:

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Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: I Don't Know

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: Recording of positive family history of TB is not mentioned. if that is available in the records that should be mentioned .

Also if TB was suspected as a complication of HIV has not been recorded although presence / absence of HIV has been noted.

Reviewer #2: Comments to the authors:

The current study entitled “Where are patients missed in the tuberculosis diagnostic cascade? A prospective cohort study in Ghana” by Joyce B. Der et al. reported the possible reasons and to circumvents these in lower TB diagnosis rate in Ghana. They showed in the current study that distance of the diagnostic centers from the reporting center is the main hurdle to submit the sample for diagnosis. Although, the population study size chosen is moderate as well as the age and gender is somewhat biased. These could be managed at the time of patient recruitment. The study well is designed, executed and presented. Data are presented in legible manner and are easily understandable. Manuscript is well written. The authors tried to find the reasons behind the less reporting of the TB cases in a region of Ghana. They determined the casual link and suggested the measures to combat the problems. The information provided in the manuscript can be used to fill the gap that exist in the regions of Ghana and if followed may increase the cases of TB reporting and their diagnosis. These information’s can also be used to increase the rate of TB diagnosis and its management in high TB burden areas of the Ghana. The manuscript is suitable and could be considered for publication in PLOS ONE.

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes: Mohd Shariq

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Attachments

Attachment

Submitted filename: PONE-D-19-34140_reviewer.docx

Where are patients missed in the tuberculosis diagnostic cascade?  A prospective cohort study in Ghana

PONE-D-19-34140R1

Dear Dr. Der,

We are pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it complies with all outstanding technical requirements.

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With kind regards,

HASNAIN SEYED EHTESHAM

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

This manuscript was reviewed by 2 reviewers who were experts in the field. One of the reviewers has asked questions about family history of TB which the Authors were unable to provide since this was not in their record and was not designed to be part of this study. The Reviewer 2 also had a small issue about age and sex information which was also not part of the original study. The issues about the questionnaire for the study has been addressed. The other important issue about the repository and deposition of data has been clarified and these will be deposited in the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s data compass. The manuscript is now recommended for publication.

Reviewers' comments: