Submissions

Author Guidelines

SECTION 1: MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION

1.1 Submission System

All manuscripts must be submitted using the journal's online submission system.

Submission Process:

• Create Account: Register as an author in the system.

• Start Submission: Click on "New Submission".

• Select Article Type: Choose the appropriate article type.

• Upload Files: Upload all required files.

• Enter Metadata: Provide all authors' information (Affiliation, Email, ORCID, Phone number, etc.).

• Complete Declarations: Confirm compliance with all policies.

• Submit: Complete the submission process.

1.2 Required Submission Documents

The following documents are required for submission:

• Title page: Must include author/s details, affiliation, email address, ORCID, and phone number of the corresponding author.

• Blinded Main Manuscript: Full manuscript without author/s identifying information.

• Cover letter: Statement of rationale, compliance, and reasons for selecting this manuscript.

• Ethical approval letter: From Institutional Review Board/Ethics Committee unless exempted.

• Authorship statement form: Signed by all authors confirming authorship criteria.

• Supplementary files: Additional data, protocols, and checklists.

1.3 Double-Blind Peer Review

The journal operates a double-blind peer review process:

• Author Anonymity: Author identities are concealed from reviewers.

• Reviewer Anonymity: Reviewer identities are concealed from authors.

Requirements for Blinding:

• Title page: Submit as a separate file with author/s details.

• Blinded Main Manuscript: Remove all authors' names, affiliations, and acknowledgments.

• File properties: Remove author name/s from document properties.

• Headers/Footers: Remove any identifying information from both headers and footers of the documents.

• Self-Citations: Cite your own work without identifying yourself (e.g., "as previously reported" rather than "as reported by Smith et al.").

1.4 Cover Letter Requirements

The cover letter must include the following:

• Manuscript Title and Article type

• Statement of rationale: Why the research is important and novel

• Compliance statement: Confirmation of adherence to all journal policies

• Originality statement: Manuscript not previously published or under consideration elsewhere

• Author/s approval: All authors have approved the submission of the manuscript

• Suggested reviewers: Recommend 2 to 3 potential reviewers (with their expertise and contact details)

• Opposed reviewer/s: Disclose any reviewer/s the author/s would prefer to avoid

SECTION 2: MANUSCRIPT FORMATTING

2.1 General Formatting Requirements

• File Format: Microsoft Word document and PDF

• Font: Font size 12 for titles and 11 for body text, formatted in Times New Roman

• Line spacing: 1.15 throughout the document

• Page size: A4 (210 x 297 mm)

• Margins: 2.54 cm (1 inch) on all sides

• Page numbers: Consecutive, bottom center

• Line numbers: Continuous (Required for review purposes)

• Language: English (Clear, concise, and professional)

• Abbreviations: Define at first use, minimize usage

2.2 Document Organization

Manuscripts should be organized in the following order:

1. Title Page (separate page and file)

2. Blinded Main Manuscript:

• Abstract and Keywords

• Introduction

• Materials and Methods

• Results

• Discussion

• Implication

• Strength and limitation

• Conclusions and recommendations

• Acknowledgments (if any)

• References

• Tables and Figures within the main manuscript

3. Supplementary Files (separate files)

2.3 Title Page

The title page must be submitted as a separate file to maintain blinding.

Full Title:

• Length: Maximum 250 characters or 15-20 words

• Characteristics: Clear, concise, and informative

• Avoid: Abbreviations, question format (where possible)

• Example: Solar Drinking Water Disinfection (SODIS) to Reduce Childhood Diarrhea in Rural Ethiopia

Author/s Information: List all authors in the order they should appear:

• Full names (First name, Middle initial, Last name/Surname)

• Affiliation: Department, Institution, City, Country

• Email address

• ORCID iD (recommended)

Corresponding Author: Designate one author as the corresponding author and provide:

• Full name

• Complete mailing address

• Email address

• Telephone number

• ORCID iD

2.4 Abstract

Abstract requirements:

• Abstract (structured) must be organized under Introduction, Objective, Methods, Results, and Conclusion, containing 3-5 keywords with a maximum word count of 350.

• Citations are not permitted in the abstract, usage of abbreviations should be minimized (and defined at first use), and clinical trial/systematic review registrations must be included if applicable.

SECTION 3: MAIN MANUSCRIPT SECTIONS

3.1 Introduction

Provide an introduction that puts the manuscript into context and allows readers outside the field to understand the purpose, rationale, and significance of the study.

Content requirements of introduction:

• Provide contextual information on the topic of the study using relevant, up-to-date existing references (within the last 10 years).

• Clearly identify what remains unknown about the topic of interest and justify the reason for conducting the study.

• Put forward a clear statement of research aims, importance, and potential impact.

Guidelines:

• Support statements with relevant, up-to-date references.

• Avoid excessive length (500-1,000 words recommended).

• End with a clear statement of the research aim.

• Avoid an extensive review of literature (reserved for Discussion).

3.2 Materials and Methods

Provide sufficient detail to allow replication of the study by other researchers.

Content Organization:

• Study Design and Setting: Clear description of study design type (cross-sectional, cohort, case-control, RCT, etc.), study setting with geographic details, and study duration (dates of data collection).

• Study Population: Clear description of eligibility criteria (inclusion and exclusion), sampling method (recruitment and sampling strategy), and correct sample size determination.

• Data Collection Tools and Procedures: Describe all data collection tools and procedures. Define all variables in the study and specify how variable measurements were made.

• Data Analysis: Specify software used for statistical analysis with an explanation of appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. Address how missing data were handled and calculate the power of the study if required. For qualitative studies, state the theories used.

3.3 Results

Present findings objectively without interpretation.

Content requirements for results:

• Clearly describe participants' personal, behavioral, environmental, and other characteristics.

• Address primary outcomes (the main results addressing the primary objective), optionally addressing secondary outcomes, sub-group analyses, and negative findings.

Presentation Guidelines:

• Use text, tables, and figures appropriately without duplicating data across formats.

• Present results in a logical sequence.

• Include statistical measures (means, proportions, effect sizes, confidence intervals, p-values).

For Qualitative Studies:

• Present thematic findings, including representative quotes with participant codes.

• Describe codes, major themes, sub-themes, and any theories or models used.

3.4 Tables

Requirements for Tables:

• Numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals (Table 1, Table 2, etc.).

• Inserted after the first paragraph in which they are cited. If a table is more than one page, submit it as a separate file.

• Titles must be concise, informative, and self-explanatory.

• All abbreviations and symbols should be defined in the table footnotes.

• Use table generation functions; do not embed tables as images.

Table Preparation:

• Include the title at the top of the table.

• Use appropriate column headings and include units for numerical data.

• Limit to 10 columns maximum and place footnotes below the table.

3.5 Figures and Images

Requirements for Figures:

• Numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.).

• Inserted after the first paragraph in which they are cited.

• Minimum resolution of 300 dpi in JPEG (.jpg, .jpeg), PNG (.png), TIFF (.tiff), or EPS (.eps) format.

• Clear labels with all symbols defined; must be self-explanatory without text-heavy legends.

Figure Preparation Guidelines:

• Ensure adequate contrast for readability, use consistent font styles, and include scale bars for microscopy images.

• Avoid unnecessary decorative elements and keep figures simple and focused.

• Cite sources if figures are taken from elsewhere.

Figure Legends:

• Short title (15 words or less), description of the figure, and definitions for all symbols and abbreviations. Avoid lengthy method descriptions.

3.6 Discussion

Interpret findings based on reported results, compare them with relevant literature involving comparable populations, settings, and contexts, and provide possible explanations for any discrepancies. Indicate theories and models used and explain the practical implications of the findings.

3.7 Strengths and Limitations

Explicitly state the strengths and limitations of the study.

3.8 Conclusions and Recommendations

Summarize and briefly write the main findings of the study, followed by actionable recommendations for practice, policy, or future research.

SECTION 4: REFERENCES

4.1 Citation Style Overview

This journal uses the Vancouver referencing style.

Key features:

• In-text citations use numbers enclosed in brackets (either square or round).

• The reference list is arranged numerically in order of first appearance in the document.

• Full bibliographic details are provided in the reference list.

4.2 In-Text Citations

Basic formats:

• Single citation: Hypertension is a major public health problem (1) OR [1]

• Multiple citations: Several studies have examined this association (2,3,5-7) OR [2,3,5-7]

• Multiple consecutive citations: Previous research has shown this effect (1-4) OR [1-4]

• Author name in the text: Smith et al. (1) found that hypertension prevalence increased with age. OR Smith et al. [1] found that...

• Specific page citations: (1, p. 40) OR [1, p. 40]

• Chapter pages: (2, pp. 70-73) OR [2, pp. 70-73]

• Multiple works by the same author: Smith (3,4) OR [3,4]

4.3 Reference List Format

General Rules:

• References are numbered consecutively in the order they are first cited in the text.

• The reference list is arranged numerically, not alphabetically.

• List all authors; do not use "et al." in the reference list unless there are more than 6 authors (in which case list the first 6 followed by "et al.").

• Journal titles are abbreviated according to Index Medicus.

• Provide complete and consistently punctuated bibliographic information.

4.4 Reference Examples

• Journal Articles:

1. Abebe HB, Hassen YL, Tesfu GF, Rahel YB, Degu XL, Biftu HM. Predictors of hypertension among rural community in Ethiopia. Genet. Plos One. 2011;10(2):1-15.

2. Abebe HB, Hassen YL, Tesfu GF, Rahel YB, Degu XL, Biftu HM, et al. Calcium carbonate as a phosphate binder in patients with chronic renal failure. BMC Bone. 2016;315(3):157-161.

3. Abebe HB, Hassen YL, Tesfu GF, Rahel YB. Susceptibility to SLE in South Indian Tamils may be influenced by genetic selection pressure on TLR2 and TLR9 genes. Mol Immunol. 2014;62(2):321-328. doi:10.1016/j.molimm.2014.11.005.

4. Abebe HB, Hassen YL. Hypertension prevalence in rural Ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Sci. Forthcoming 2024.

• Books:

5. Hassen YL. Bargaining for life: a social history of tuberculosis. 1st ed. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press; 1992.

6. Hassen YL, Risse GB, editors. AIDS and the historian. Bethesda: National Institutes of Health; 1991.

7. Smith J. Global health challenges [e-book]. New York: Springer; 2022. Available from: https://www.springer.com/ebook/12345. Cited 2024 Jan 15.

• Book Chapters:

8. Hansen B. New York City epidemics and history for the public. In: Harden VA, Risse GB, editors. AIDS and the historian. Bethesda: National Institutes of Health; 1991. p. 21-28.

• Reports:

9. Ethiopian Ministry of Health. National health policy. Addis Ababa: Ministry of Health; 2021.

10. World Health Organization. Global status report on non-communicable diseases. Geneva: WHO; 2020.

• Conference Papers:

11. Smith J, Jones M. Hypertension prevention in rural Ethiopia. In: Proceedings of the 10th Annual Ethiopian Public Health Conference; 2021 Nov 15-17; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Addis Ababa: Ethiopian Public Health Association; 2021. p. 45-52.

• Theses and Dissertations:

12. Kebede B. Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in Ethiopia [PhD thesis]. Addis Ababa: Addis Ababa University; 2022.

13. Chala K. Prevalence of hypertension in rural Ethiopia [MSc thesis]. Bale Robe: Madda Walabu University; 2023.

• Internet Sources:

14. World Health Organization. Hypertension fact sheet [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2023. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension. Cited 2024 Jan 15.

15. Smith J. New study reveals hypertension trends. Health News [Internet]. 2024 Jan 15. Available from: https://www.healthnews.com/hypertension-trends. Cited 2024 Jan 16.

16. Krick T, Shub DA, Verstraete N, Ferreiro DU, Alonso LG, Shub M, et al. Amino acid metabolism conflicts with protein diversity; 1991. Preprint. Available from: arXiv:1403.3301v1. Cited 2014 Mar 17.

17. Roberts SB. QPX Genome Browser Feature Tracks; 2013. Database: figshare [Internet]. Available from: http://figshare.com/articles/QPX_Genome_Browser_Feature_Tracks/701214. Cited 2024 Jan 15.

• Other Sources:

• Newspaper Article: Smith J. Health challenges in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Herald. 2024 Jan 15;Sect. A:3.

• Multimedia: Hitchcock A, producer and director. Rear Window [Film]. Los Angeles: MGM; 1954.

• Personal Communication: Not included in reference list. Cite in text: (J. Smith, personal communication, 2024 Jan 15).

• Unpublished Data: Not included in reference list. Cite in text: (J. Smith, unpublished data, 2023).

SECTION 5: DECLARATIONS

5.1 Required Declarations

All manuscripts must include a declarations section before the references containing the following subsections:

• Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate: "This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board/Ethics Committee of Madda Walabu University (Reference No: MWU/IRB/xxx/xxxx). Written/oral informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to enrollment in the study."

• Consent for Publication: "Written informed consent was obtained from the patient(s) for publication of this case report/study and any accompanying images."

• Availability of Data and Materials: "The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request." (OR: "All data supporting the findings of this study are available within the manuscript and its supplementary files. Raw data are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.")

• Competing Interests: "The author/s declare that they have no competing interests." (OR disclose specific relationships if conflicts exist).

• Funding: "This research was funded by [Funding Agency] under grant number [XXXX]. The funder had no role in study design, data collection, analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript."

• Authors' Contributions: "MB and AA conceived the study (Conceptualization, Methodology). AM performed data collection (Investigation). MT performed statistical analysis (Formal Analysis). TA participated in data interpretation (Writing - Review & Editing). All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript."

• Acknowledgments: "The authors thank Dr. Mekonen Bonsa for technical assistance and the staff of Bale Zone Health Office for facilitating data collection."

• Authors' Information (Optional): "Dr. Mekonen is a public health epidemiologist with expertise in non-communicable disease research in sub-Saharan Africa."

5.2 CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy)

Authors are encouraged to use CRediT roles to specify contributions:

• Conceptualization: Ideas generation and formulation of research goals

• Methodology: Active participation in development of methodology

• Investigation: Conducting experiments, research execution, or data collection

• Formal analysis: Performing statistical or analytical procedures

• Data curation: Managing research data

• Writing - Original draft: Preparation of the initial manuscript

• Writing – Review and editing: Critical review and revision

• Supervision: Oversight and leadership of the study

• Project administration: Active management and coordination of the study

• Funding acquisition: Acquisition of financial support for the study

SECTION 6: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

6.1 General Questions

• Q: What types of articles does the journal publish?

  A: Original Research, Review Articles, Short Communications, Case Reports, Letters to the Editor, Editorials, Methodology Papers, and Systematic Reviews/Meta-Analyses.

• Q: Does the journal charge article processing fees?

  A: Yes, the journal charges Rs. 15,000/- as Article Processing Charges.

• Q: How long does the peer review process take?

  A: Approximately 18-24 weeks from submission to publication.

• Q: Is there a word limit for manuscripts?

  A: Yes, word limits vary by article type (e.g., Original Research: 3,000 words, Review Articles: 4,000-4,500 words).

6.2 Submission Questions

• Q: How do I submit a manuscript?

  A: Submit through the online submission system at [Insert URL] or email the editorial office.

• Q: What documents are required for submission?

  A: Title Page, Blinded Manuscript, Cover Letter, Ethical Approval Letter, Authorship Statement Form, and Figures (if applicable).

• Q: Does the journal use double-blind peer review?

  A: Yes.

6.3 Ethical Questions

• Q: Is ethical approval required for all studies?

  A: Yes, all studies involving human participants or animals require ethical approval.

• Q: What should I do if I have a conflict of interest?

  A: Disclose all conflicts of interest in the Competing Interests section.

• Q: How does the journal handle plagiarism?

  A: The journal uses plagiarism detection software and enforces a maximum similarity index limit of less than 20%.