Author Guidelines

The Sub-Saharan Journal of Health and Radiation Sciences (SJHRS) provides clear guidelines to ensure high-quality scholarly publications. 

Information for Authors

Original Research Articles

Word limit: 2,500–3,000 words.

Original Research Articles report original empirical studies based on quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods research. These articles should present clearly defined objectives, robust methodology, appropriate data analysis, and well-supported conclusions. Manuscripts must follow the IMRAD structure (Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, and Discussion) and include funding declaration, acknowledgements, conflict of interest declaration, and References. Methods must be described in sufficient detail to allow reproducibility and independent verification. Ethical approval for works involving human and animal subjects is required.

Review Articles

Word limit: up to 3,500 words.

Review Articles provide a critical, balanced, and comprehensive synthesis of the existing literature on a focused topic relevant to the journal’s scope. Reviews should identify trends, gaps, and implications for research, practice, or policy.

Narrative reviews may be written as a continuous text and must include an unstructured abstract of no more than 300 words. Systematic reviews, critical reviews, and meta-analyses are treated as scientific studies and must follow a structured format comparable to original research articles, including a clearly described methodology and results. Authors are expected to adhere to appropriate reporting guidelines.

Case Reports / Case Studies

Word limit: up to 1,000 words.

Case Reports describe rare, unusual, or educational clinical cases that offer valuable insights into health-related diagnostic or clinical decision-making procedures.

· Abstract

· Keywords

· Introduction

· Case Description

· Discussion

· Conclusion

High-quality images are encouraged, and patient anonymity must be strictly maintained. Written informed consent is required where applicable.

Case Series

Word limit: up to 1,500 words.

Case Series report multiple related clinical cases that collectively provide insights into disease patterns, imaging characteristics, diagnostic challenges, or outcomes.

· Abstract

· Keywords

· Introduction

· Case Series Description

· Discussion

· Conclusion

Authors must clearly state ethical approval status and confirm that informed consent was obtained in accordance with institutional and international standards.

Letters to the Editor

Word limit: up to 600 words.

Letters to the Editor provide a mechanism for post-publication scholarly communication. They may include constructive commentary on articles published in SJHRS, discussion of topical issues, or brief observations relevant to the journal’s readership.

· No abstract required

· No subheadings

· Maximum of five references

· One table or figure permitted

Commentaries and Perspectives

Word limit: 1,200–2,000 words.

Commentaries and Perspectives are scholarly opinion pieces that address emerging concepts, innovations, ethical issues, policy implications, or professional debates in health and radiation sciences. These submissions are narrative in style and do not require a structured format or abstract.

Summary of Article Types Accepted by SJHRS

Article Type	Word Limit	Abstract	Structure / Key Requirements	Notes
Original Research Article	2,500–3,000	Structured ≤250 words	IMRAD format	Original empirical research
Review Article (Narrative)	≤3,500	Unstructured ≤250 words	Continuous narrative	Critical synthesis of literature
Systematic Review / Meta-analysis	≤3,500	Structured ≤250 words	IMRAD + explicit methodology	Follow PRISMA or similar guidelines
Case Report / Case Study	≤1,000	Structured ≤250 words	Case-based format	Consent required
Case Series	≤1,500	Structured ≤250 words	Multiple related cases	Ethical approval required
Letters to the Editor	≤600	Not required	No subheadings	Max 5 references
Commentaries & Perspectives	1,200–2,000	Not required	Narrative format	Scholarly opinion

Manuscript Submission

Manuscript submission is strictly through the journal website. First-time visitors are required to register (free) to submit and track manuscripts.

Submission is free. Accepted manuscripts attract an Article Processing Charge (APC) of ₦25,000 for authors within Nigeria and $20 for authors outside Nigeria.

Referencing Guidelines

Citations should be numbered consecutively in the order they appear in the text and placed inside square brackets.

Presentation and Format

· Single line spacing

· Margins: 2.5 cm on all sides

· Page numbers included

· English language only

· No track changes

· Patient privacy must be maintained