African Health Sciences

Scope & Guideline

Championing Open Access for African Health Insights.

Introduction

Welcome to the African Health Sciences information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of African Health Sciences, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1680-6905
PublisherMAKERERE UNIV, COLL HEALTH SCIENCES,SCH MED
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUganda
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2001 to 2024
AbbreviationAFR HEALTH SCI / Afr. Health Sci.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressPO BOX 7072, KAMPALA 00000, UGANDA

Aims and Scopes

African Health Sciences focuses on a wide range of health-related issues pertinent to the African context, emphasizing interdisciplinary research that informs public health practices and policies. The journal promotes studies that address both communicable and non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, health system strengthening, and health education, among other areas.
  1. Public Health and Epidemiology:
    The journal publishes research that examines public health issues, including disease prevalence, risk factors, and health behaviors, particularly in African populations.
  2. Infectious Diseases:
    There is a strong focus on infectious diseases, including studies on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and more recently, the impacts of COVID-19, reflecting the pressing health challenges faced by African nations.
  3. Maternal and Child Health:
    Research related to maternal and child health is a key area, covering topics such as antenatal care, maternal morbidity, child nutrition, and vaccination practices.
  4. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs):
    The journal addresses the rising burden of NCDs in Africa, including diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, with a focus on prevention, management, and health education.
  5. Health Systems and Policy:
    Studies evaluating health systems, healthcare delivery, and policy implications are prevalent, providing insights into improving health services in resource-limited settings.
  6. Traditional and Complementary Medicine:
    The journal also explores the role of traditional medicine in health care, including its integration with modern medical practices.
African Health Sciences is increasingly addressing emerging health challenges and trends in the region. Recent publications reflect a growing interest in innovative approaches and pressing health issues that resonate with current global health priorities.
  1. COVID-19 Research:
    There is a notable increase in studies related to COVID-19, including its epidemiology, impacts on health systems, and long-term effects on public health, which have become a central focus post-2020.
  2. Telemedicine and Digital Health:
    Emerging themes include the use of telemedicine and digital health solutions, particularly in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for innovative healthcare delivery.
  3. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):
    Research on antimicrobial resistance has gained traction, reflecting a global health concern that is particularly relevant in the African context due to high rates of infectious diseases.
  4. Nutrition and Non-Communicable Diseases:
    There is increasing interest in the relationship between nutrition and the prevention of non-communicable diseases, emphasizing the need for dietary interventions in public health strategies.
  5. Mental Health Awareness:
    Recent studies show a growing recognition of mental health issues, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to increased research and discussion on mental health policy and practice.

Declining or Waning

While African Health Sciences continues to cover a broad spectrum of health-related topics, certain areas have seen a decline in focus over recent years. This may reflect shifting health priorities or emerging health challenges that require more attention.
  1. Traditional Medicine Practices:
    Although previously a significant topic, research on traditional medicine practices has decreased, possibly overshadowed by the urgency of addressing infectious diseases and NCDs.
  2. Environmental Health Studies:
    There seems to be a waning interest in environmental health issues, such as pollution and its health impacts, which are critical but less frequently addressed in recent publications.
  3. Mental Health Research:
    Research focusing on mental health, while still important, appears to be less prevalent compared to physical health studies, despite the growing recognition of mental health as a critical component of overall health.
  4. Health Education and Promotion:
    The emphasis on health education and promotion strategies has diminished in recent years, as more studies focus on clinical and epidemiological aspects.

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