Guidelines

The African Journal of Health Sciences (AJHS is dedicated to fostering and disseminating high-quality research in health sciences and related fields, contributing to the global knowledge base. To facilitate a seamless submission process and uphold hight standards of academic publishing, please adhere to the following guidelines when preparing and submitting your manuscript. 

  1. Manuscript Preparation

1.1. Originality: Ensure that your manuscript presents original work that has not been previously published elsewhere. If your manuscript is based on previously published work, provide proper citations and references. 

1.2. Language: Manuscripts should be written in clear and concise English, promoting effective communication of your research. 

1.3. Manuscript Types: AJHS welcomes the following types of manuscripts: 

1.4. Formatting: To maintain consistency and clarity, adhere to the guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th edition for manuscript formatting. See APA 7th Edition (American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Assoc) 

1.5. Title Page: Include a comprehensive title, author names and affiliations, corresponding author's contact information, and a running title for the manuscript. 

1.6. Abstract: Provide a structured abstract (Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions) for original research articles and reviews. Short communications should feature a non-structured abstract. Abstracts should not exceed 250 words. 

1.7. Keywords: Enlist a set of 3-5 keywords that accurately represent the content of your manuscript, aiding discoverability. 

  1. Manuscript Sections

2.1. Introduction: Articulate your research question or hypothesis clearly, underlining its significance within the field. 

2.2. Methods: Detail your research methodology comprehensively, encompassing study design, data collection methods, and statistical analysis. 

2.3. Results: Present your findings logically and comprehensibly, utilizing tables, figures, and charts for clarity. Ensure the effective representation of data. 

2.4. Discussion: Interpret your results, discuss their implications, and relate them to existing literature. Avoid undue repetition of results. 

2.5. Conclusion: Succinctly summarize your key findings and emphasize their relevance. Highlight the study's contribution to the field. 

2.6. References: Accurately cite all sources following the Vancouver style for citation and referencing. Ensure the currency and relevance of all references. 

  1. Figures and Tables

3.1. Figures: Submit figures in JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or PDF format with a minimum resolution of 300 DPI. Sequentially number figures and provide clear and concise captions. See Figure formatting 

3.2. Tables: Format tables according to the APA style, sequentially numbering them with clear titles. See Table formatting 

3.3. Supplementary Data: Supplementary data, where applicable, are attached separately from the manuscript. Supplementary data should adhere to the Journal’s guidelines 

  1. Ethical Considerations

4.1. Ethical Approval: If your research involves human subjects or animals, furnish evidence of ethical approval. 

4.2. Conflict of Interest: Disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the interpretation of your work. 

4.3. Authorship: Ensure that all listed authors meet the criteria for authorship and mutually agree to the manuscript's submission. Refer to COPE’s guidelines for authorship (https://publicationethics.org/files/COPE_DD_A4_Authorship_SEPT19_SCREEN_AW.pdf) Include a detailed description of instutional affiliation. 

  1. Submission

5.1. Submit your manuscript through the online submission system available on the AJHS website. 

5.2. Include a cover letter that elucidates the significance of your work and provides any additional information for the editor's consideration. 

  1. Frequency of Publication: Bi-Monthly.
  2. Peer Review Process

AJHS adheres to a stringent peer-review process. Authors may suggest potential reviewers, but the final selection rests with the editorial board. Authors are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the reviewer guidelines accessible on our website to gain insights into the peer-review process

       8. Copyright

AJHS operates under an open-access publishing model, with authors retaining copyright to their work. 

  1. Open Access Policy

AJHS is firmly committed to open access publishing, ensuring that all articles are freely accessible to a global readership. 

  1. Journal Indexing

AJHS is indexed on AJOL (African Journals Online) at (https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajhs/about) and old issues are archived on Bioline ( http://www.bioline.org.br/toc?id=jh) 

  1. Article Processing Charges (APC)

AJHS APC is paid during submission when an article passes the preliminary screening stage. The fee is Ksh. 4000 and USD 100 for Kenyan authors and international authors, respectively. Detailed information on fee payment is shared after passing the preliminary screening stage. No other fee is paid after this.  

  1. Ownership Declaration 

Authors complete an ownership declaration form signed by all authors and submit it along with other supporting documents. 

13. Contact Information

For inquiries or assistance, please reach out to the editorial office at africanjournal@kemri.go.ke. 

 

We look forward to receiving your invaluable contributions to the African Journal of Health Sciences. Your dedication to advancing health research is highly valued and has the potential to create transformative impacts.