Author Guidelines

Author Guidelines

Horn African Journal of Health Sciences (HAJHS)

Samara University

Introduction

Horn Africa Journal of Health Sciences (HAJHS) is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing evidence across all domains of health including infectious and noninfectious disease, maternal and child health, and environmental health.

The journal has a special emphasis on determinants of health, and seeks to understand the impact of evidence on health policies and interventions in healthcare delivery systems.

HAJHS operates on the principle that editorial decisions are based solely on scientific validity, not on a study's perceived interest or impact. We welcome submissions from researchers worldwide.

Manuscript Preparation

File Format: Submit in editable Microsoft Office format (DOC, DOCX). Files must not be locked or protected.

Length & Formatting: No restriction on word count, figures, or supporting information. Text must be double spaced in 12pt Times New Roman. Use page numbers and continuous line numbers.

Language: Manuscripts must be submitted in clear, precise English.

Footnotes: Not allowed. Incorporate content into main text or reference list.

Article Types

Research Article: Original primary research or novel experimental methods. Clinical trials must follow CONSORT guidelines.
Study Protocol: Detailed protocols for prospective clinical research. Must be submitted before participant recruitment finishes.
Review: Up-to-date narrative reviews. No formal protocol required.
Systematic Review: Must follow PRISMA guidelines. Registration in PROSPERO or OSF required.
Comment: Short, commissioned pieces on contemporary topics.
Software/Database Articles: Must include comprehensive description and be freely accessible.
Matters Arising: Post-publication commentary. Maximum 1000 words.

Manuscript Structure

Title: ≤25 words, no abbreviations
Abstract: ≤300 words, structured
Keywords: 3-5 words
Introduction: Context, gap, objective
Methods: Design, setting, participants, statistics
Results: Findings with analysis
Discussion: Interpretation, limitations
Conclusion: Summary & implications
Declarations: Ethics, consent, data, competing interests, funding
References: Vancouver style

Abstract Structure:

Background → Methods → Results → Conclusion → Trial registration (if applicable)

Submission Process

Your submission must include:

  • Cover Letter (1 page) – significance, context, article type, reviewer exclusions
  • Manuscript – including tables and figure legends
  • Additional files – supporting data, figures, etc. (max 20 MB per file)

Important: HAJHS will contact all authors by email to confirm their awareness of the submission. One corresponding author must be designated.

Figures & Tables

Figures

  • Upload each figure as separate file
  • Max 10 MB per file
  • Formats: PDF, TIFF, JPEG, PNG
  • 300 dpi resolution

Tables

  • Place after first citation paragraph
  • Use sequential Arabic numbers
  • Avoid color and shading
  • Max title: 15 words

References (Vancouver Style)

Citations are numbered in brackets in text order. List first 6 authors, then "et al."

Journal: Mwangi TW, Ross A, Marsh K, Snow RW. The effects of untreated bednets on malaria infection and morbidity on the Kenyan coast. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2003;97(4):369-72.

Book Chapter: McKenzie JE, Brennan SE, Ryan RE, Thomson HJ, Johnston RV. Summarizing study characteristics and preparing for synthesis. In: Deeks J, Higgins J, Altman D, editors. Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. 2nd ed. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell; 2019. p. 229-240.

Website: World Health Organization. Public health advice on understanding, preventing and addressing stigma and discrimination related to mpox. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/public-health-advice-on-understanding-preventing-and-addressing-stigma-and-discrimination-related-to-mpox. Accessed 06 January 2025.

Peer Review Policy

HAJHS uses a transparent peer review system. Review reports are published alongside accepted articles. Reviewers evaluate based on:

  • Scientific robustness – methodology and conclusions
  • Originality – novelty and distinction from prior work
  • Clarity – coherence and readability

Policies

Preprints: Encouraged. Does not affect eligibility for publication.
Fees & Funding: Fully open access. Article processing charges may apply.
Licensing: CC-BY Creative Commons license. Authors retain copyright.
Disputing Published Work: Authors of disputed work are invited to provide a signed review.

Required Declarations Checklist

☐ Ethics approval and consent
☐ Consent for publication
☐ Availability of data and material
☐ Competing interests
☐ Funding sources
☐ Authors' contributions
☐ Acknowledgments (or "Not applicable")
☐ List of abbreviations

For inquiries, please contact the editorial office

Email: editorial@hajhs.edu.et