PONE-D-19-36070

HIV Incidence and risk contributing factors among men who have sex with men in Benin: A prospective cohort study.

PLOS ONE

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PLOS ONE

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Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: This manuscript describes the HIV incidence among MSM in Benin. This prospective study in years revealed the quite high incidence of HIV infection among MSM populations, especially in <25y adult. It is of very significance in prevention and control of HIV in Africa countries , such as in Benin.

Reviewer #2: This manuscript by Septime P.H. Hessou et al reported HIV incidence and risk factors among MSM population in Benin bases on a prospective cohort study with a retention of more than 70%. Which is helpful to conduct intervention on MSM population. However, there are some items needed to further clear.

1. In table 1 and 3, occupation includes pupils and students. Could you explain that why pupils can sign consent form and also has behavior of sex with a man . It may be illegal to have sex with a pupil in any countries.

2. In result part, "the level of knowledge of getting HIV infected remained low at least during 18 months". Is this persistent low level of knowledge caused by no intervention measure taken, or no effect happened after intervention. If no intervention measure was taken, is it ethically permitted?

3. In this study, condom tearing reached to 27.8%. Could you explain why condom tearing so high. Is condom tearing related to no using lubricant or the quality of it. HIV infection would be prevented if without condom tearing.

4. There is some errors on the use of punctuation in table 4. For example, 0,92 should be 0.92. The same errors was also in context.

5. The author described that "The end of the follow-up takes place when the participant becomes HIV positive, that’s when he/she shows HIV positive". Is the female involved in this study?

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes: Hongxiong Guo

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HIV Incidence and risk contributing factors among men who have sex with men in Benin: A prospective cohort study.

PONE-D-19-36070R1

Dear Dr. HESSOU,

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,

Chiyu Zhang, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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