Submissions

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Author Guidelines

Authors are invited to submit to this journal. An editor will assess all submissions to determine whether they meet the aims and scope of this journal. Those considered to be a good fit will be sent for peer review before determining whether they will be accepted or rejected.

Before submitting, authors are responsible for obtaining permission to publish any material included with the submission, such as photos, documents and datasets. All authors identified on the submission must consent to be identified as an author. Where appropriate, research should be approved by an appropriate ethics committee in accordance with the legal requirements of the study's country.

An editor may desk reject a submission if it does not meet minimum standards of quality. Before submitting, please ensure that the study design and research argument are structured and articulated properly. The title should be concise and the abstract should be able to stand on its own. This will increase the likelihood of reviewers agreeing to review the paper. When you're satisfied that your submission meets this standard, please follow the checklist below to prepare your submission.

  1. Aims & Scope

Aims and scope 

The Busitema Journal of Health Sciences (JHS) is a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing knowledge across all areas of health sciences and public health through the publication of high-quality research and scholarly work. The journal serves as a platform for public health professionals, researchers ,academics and policy-makers to share innovative findings, evidence-based practices, and emerging trends that contribute to strengthening healthcare systems and improving population health outcomes at local and regional levels. 

BJHS prioritises content that addresses contemporary issues in health sciences and public health with clear relevance to practice, policy, and health systems.

BJHS welcomes original research articles, systematic reviews, case studies, and policy analyses addressing contemporary issues in health sciences and public health at local, regional, and global levels.

Key Focus Areas 

BJHS welcomes submissions from the following health science  disciplines:

  1. Biomedical and basic health sciences: Anatomy, histology, cell biology, biochemistry, molecular medicine, and other foundational biomedical sciences that support clinical and translational research.

  2. Clinical Medicine and Surgery: Internal medicine, surgery, diagnostics, therapeutics, clinical decision-making, patient management, and evidence-based clinical practice.

  3. Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Health:  Maternal health, safe motherhood, reproductive health, adolescent health, neonatal care, fertility, and perinatal outcomes.

  4. Nursing and Midwifery Sciences: Nursing practice, midwifery care, community nursing, patient safety, clinical education, and quality of healthcare delivery.

  5. Community and public health: Epidemiology, disease surveillance, health promotion, primary healthcare, environmental and occupational health, outbreak response, and community-based interventions.

  6. Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases: Infectious disease control and research, immunology, antimicrobial resistance, parasitology, virology, and emerging infectious diseases.

  7. Pharmacology and Therapeutics: Clinical pharmacology, drug safety, rational medicine use, toxicology, antimicrobial stewardship, and integration of traditional and modern therapeutics.

  8. Paediatrics and Child Health: Child survival, neonatal health, nutrition, infectious diseases in children, developmental health, and adolescent health services.

  9. Natural Products Research and Innovation: Medicinal plants, ethnopharmacology, bioactive compounds, drug discovery and development, traditional medicine validation, phytochemistry, and development of natural product–based health innovations and therapeutics.

 

BJHS covers interdisciplinary research in the following domains: 

  1. Public health :  

  2. Maternal and Child Health : 

  3. Nutrition and Health Management :  

  4. Natural products research and Innovation  

  5. Infectious disease control 

 

Journal Content and Audience 

Busitema Journal of Health Services (BJHS) publishes high-quality, double-blind, peer-reviewed scholarly articles in the form of : 

  1. Original research articles

  2. Clinical and community-based studies

  3. Health systems and policy research

  4. Case studies on healthcare innovation and service delivery

  5. Commentaries, perspectives, and debates on emerging health issues

  6. Special issues on priority and emerging topics in health sciences

The journal serves a broad audience that includes researchers, healthcare professionals, public health practitioners, policymakers, educators, development partners, and students in health-related disciplines. BJHS particularly targets stakeholders interested in public health, maternal and child health, nutrition, healthcare management, community health, natural products research, and healthcare innovation.

By fostering collaboration among academia, healthcare institutions, government agencies, and communities, JHS promotes knowledge exchange and the translation of research into policies and practices that strengthen healthcare systems and improve population health outcomes.

  1. Submission Requirements

        2.1. General Criteria

  • Originality: Submissions must be unpublished and not under review elsewhere.
  • Ethics: Authors must disclose conflicts of interest and comply with research ethics (e.g., consent for human/animal studies).
  • Language: English (UK spelling preferred).

2.2. Manuscript Structure

Section

Requirements

Title

Clear, concise (≤15 words). Avoid acronyms.

Abstract

Structured (Purpose, Methods, Findings, Commercial Implications; 200–250 words).

Keywords

5–7 terms (avoid generic terms like "technology").

Introduction

State problem, innovation gap, and objectives.

Methods

Detailed enough for reproducibility.

Results

Data-driven; use tables/figures (high-resolution, editable formats).

Discussion

Link findings to commercialization potential.

Conclusion

Summarize key innovations and market implications.

References

APA 7th style (minimum 15 for research articles).

 2.3. Formatting

  • Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt.
  • Spacing: 1.5-line spacing.
  • Margins: 2.54 cm (all sides).
  • File Type: .docx or doc (no PDFs at submission).
  1. Submission Process

3.1. Online Submission

  1. Register/Login via - Journal Submission Portal.
  2. Upload:
    • Manuscript (anonymous for peer review).
    • Cover letter (include novelty and commercialization relevance).
    • Supplementary files (datasets, patents, prototypes, tables, figures, etc).

3.2. Cover Letter Template

Dear Editor,

I/We submit my/our manuscript titled "[Title]" for consideration. My/Our work addresses [innovation gap] and demonstrates [commercial potential/applications]. 

Key highlights: 

  • [Technical innovation]
  • [Market/industry relevance]
  • [Ethical compliance statement]

I/We confirm no conflicts of interest. 

Sincerely, 

[Corresponding Author] 

  1. Peer Review Policy
  2. Double-Blind Review (4–6 Weeks)
    • Ensures impartiality by anonymizing author and reviewer identities.
    • Typical turnaround: 5 months(expedited review for industry innovations).
  3. Evaluation Criteria
    • Innovation (30%): Assesses novelty and real-world applicability.
      Example: Does the solution address a gap in East Africa’s tech landscape?
    • Technical Soundness (30%): Validates methodology, data, and reproducibility.
      Red flags: Unclear protocols, unsupported claims.
    • Commercial Viability (20%): Evaluates scalability, cost-effectiveness, and market demand.
      Key question: Could this attract investors or patents?
    • Clarity (20%): Rates logical flow, language, and adherence to BJITC’s template.
  4. Outcomes
    • Revise & Resubmit: Required for commercial potential with weak methodology.
    • Desk Reject: Out-of-scope or plagiarized submissions.

Purpose: Maintain rigor while prioritizing innovations with commercialization potential.

  1. Post-Acceptance Steps
  2. Copyright Agreement: Sign BJITC’s open-access license.
  3. Payment: No article processing charges (APCs) for initial volumes.
  4. Proof Approval: Authors review typeset version within 5 days.

 

  1. Editorial Policies

 6.1. Open Access & Licensing

  • CC BY-NC 4.0: Free to read, share, and adapt (with attribution).
  • Archiving: Indexed in Google Scholar, AJOL, and DOAJ.

6.2. Plagiarism Screening

  • ≤15% similarity (excluding references) via Turnitin.

6.3. Appeals & Corrections

  • Contact [editorial@busitema.ac.ug] for disputes/post-publication edits.
  1. Templates & Examples
  • [Manuscript Template]
  • [Reference Formatting Guide]
  1. Contact

Editorial Office: Busitema University, P.O. Box 236, Busia.
Email: journal@busitema.ac.ug
Phone: +256776057200

Note: Non-compliance may delay processing. For student submissions, include supervisor approval.

Attachments:

  • Appendix A: APA 7th Reference Examples
  • Appendix B: Figure/Table Guidelines

Download Full Guidelines: [PDF Link]

Submission Preparation Checklist

All submissions must meet the following requirements.

  • This submission meets the requirements outlined in the Author Guidelines.
  • This submission has not been previously published, nor is it before another journal for consideration.
  • All references have been checked for accuracy and completeness.
  • All tables and figures have been numbered and labeled.
  • Permission has been obtained to publish all photos, datasets and other material provided with this submission.

1 . Original theoretical and empirical studies (quantitative/qualitative)

Busitema Journal of Health Sciences welcomes original research that advances scientific knowledge through theoretical frameworks, experimental studies, or applied investigations. These studies should employ rigorous methodologies—whether quantitative (statistical analysis, computational modeling, controlled experiments) or qualitative (case analyses, interviews, ethnographic research)—to address gaps in STEM fields. Submissions must clearly articulate research questions, methodology, results, and implications for academia, industry, or policy.

Example topics:

  • Theoretical: A new model for optimizing solar microgrid efficiency in rural East Africa.

  • Empirical (Quantitative): "Machine Learning for Early Detection of Crop Diseases: A Field Study in Uganda."

  • Empirical (Qualitative): "Barriers to Renewable Energy Adoption: Stakeholder Perspectives in Kenyan Industries."

Key requirements:
✔ Novel hypotheses or experimental validation.
✔ Reproducible methods with sufficient detail.
✔ Data-driven conclusions with real-world relevance.

2. Practice-Oriented and Policy-Driven Papers

BJHS prioritizes research that bridges academia and practical implementation. These papers should translate scientific findings into actionable strategies for industries, governments, or NGOs. They may evaluate policy impacts, propose regulatory frameworks, or outline best practices for technology deployment.

Example topics:

  • "Scaling Biogas Technology in Rwandan Farms: Lessons from Pilot Projects."

  • "Policy Incentives for Electric Vehicle Adoption in Tanzania: A Cost-Benefit Analysis."

Key requirements:
✔ Clear linkage between research and application.
✔ Evidence-based recommendations (e.g., case data, stakeholder feedback).
✔ Discussion of scalability and limitations.

3. Case Studies on Successful Innovations and Commercialization

Case studies in BJHS document real-world examples of STEM innovations that achieved measurable impact. These should detail the innovation process, challenges faced, commercialization pathways, and lessons learned.

Example topics:

  • "From Lab to Market: How a Ugandan University’s Solar Dryer Became a Commercial Product."

  • "Blockchain for Land Rights: A Case Study of Kenya’s Pilot Program."

Key requirements:
✔ Background on the innovation’s development.
✔ Financial, technical, or social outcomes.
✔ Transferable insights for other regions.

4. Reviews, Commentaries, and Debates on Emerging STEM Trends

Review articles synthesize existing research on fast-evolving topics, while commentaries offer expert opinions or critiques. Debates present opposing viewpoints on controversial issues (e.g., AI ethics).

Example topics:

  • Review: "Advances in African AI Research: A Decadal Analysis."

  • Commentary: "Why East Africa’s Solar Energy Policies Need Reform."

Key requirements:
✔ Comprehensive literature analysis (reviews).
✔ Provocative yet evidence-based arguments (commentaries).

5. Special Issues on Frontier Topics

Guest-edited collections focusing on urgent themes (e.g., "Smart Cities in Africa"). Proposals should justify the topic’s timeliness and potential impact.

6. Short Communications

Brief reports (1,500–3,000 words) on preliminary findings, technical breakthroughs, or urgent innovations.

Example:

  • "Rapid Prototyping of Low-Cost Ventilators During COVID-19: A Ugandan Initiative."

Key requirements:
✔ Focused scope with immediate relevance.
✔ Sufficient data to support claims.

Privacy Statement

At BJHS, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your data. This Privacy Statement outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you interact with our journal platform, including during registration, manuscript submission, and general browsing.

Data Collection and Use

We collect only the necessary personal data required for journal operations, including:

  • User accounts: Name, email, affiliation, and ORCID (if provided) for communication and identification.
  • Author submissions: Manuscript details, co-author information, and metadata for publication and indexing.
  • Website analytics: Non-identifiable data (e.g., IP address, browser type) to improve user experience.

Data Protection & Disclosure

  • Security: Your data is stored securely and accessible only to authorized personnel.
  • Third Parties: Data is never sold. Limited disclosure may occur for essential services (e.g., plagiarism checks, indexing) under strict confidentiality agreements.
  • Legal Compliance: Data may be shared if required by law or to protect intellectual property rights.

Your Rights

You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data by contacting journal@busitema.ac.ug.

By using FSTI’s services, you consent to this policy. For full details, visit our Privacy Policy page.

Submission Preparation Checklist

All submissions must meet the following requirements.

  • This submission meets the requirements outlined in the Author Guidelines.
  • This submission has not been previously published, nor is it before another journal for consideration.
  • All references have been checked for accuracy and completeness.
  • All tables and figures have been numbered and labeled.
  • Permission has been obtained to publish all photos, datasets and other material provided with this submission.

Articles

Section default policy

Biomedical and basic health sciences

Anatomy, histology, cell biology, biochemistry, molecular medicine, and other foundational biomedical sciences that support clinical and translational research

Clinical Medicine and Surgery

Internal medicine, surgery, diagnostics, therapeutics, clinical decision-making, patient management, and evidence-based clinical practice.

Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Health

Maternal health, safe motherhood, reproductive health, adolescent health, neonatal care, fertility, and perinatal outcomes.

Nursing and Midwifery Sciences

Nursing practice, midwifery care, community nursing, patient safety, clinical education, and quality of healthcare delivery.

Community and public health

Epidemiology, disease surveillance, health promotion, primary healthcare, environmental and occupational health, outbreak response, and community-based interventions.

Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases

Infectious disease control and research, immunology, antimicrobial resistance, parasitology, virology, and emerging infectious diseases.

Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Clinical pharmacology, drug safety, rational medicine use, toxicology, antimicrobial stewardship, and integration of traditional and modern therapeutics.

Paediatrics and Child Health

Child survival, neonatal health, nutrition, infectious diseases in children, developmental health, and adolescent health services.

Natural Products Research and Innovation

Medicinal plants, ethnopharmacology, bioactive compounds, drug discovery and development, traditional medicine validation, phytochemistry, and development of natural product–based health innovations and therapeutics.

Privacy Statement

Privacy Statement

At BJHS, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your data. This Privacy Statement outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you interact with our journal platform, including during registration, manuscript submission, and general browsing.

Data Collection and Use

We collect only the necessary personal data required for journal operations, including:

  • User accounts: Name, email, affiliation, and ORCID (if provided) for communication and identification.
  • Author submissions: Manuscript details, co-author information, and metadata for publication and indexing.
  • Website analytics: Non-identifiable data (e.g., IP address, browser type) to improve user experience.

Data Protection & Disclosure

  • Security: Your data is stored securely and accessible only to authorized personnel.
  • Third Parties: Data is never sold. Limited disclosure may occur for essential services (e.g., plagiarism checks, indexing) under strict confidentiality agreements.
  • Legal Compliance: Data may be shared if required by law or to protect intellectual property rights.

Your Rights

You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data by contacting journals@busitema.ac.ug or busitemajournals@gmail.com.

By using BJHS’s services, you consent to this policy. For full details, visit our Privacy Policy page.