GUIDELINES FOR THE AUTHORS

General Principles

Title Page

The title page should include the following information:

  • A clear and concise title that enhances electronic retrieval.
  • Authors’ names and program title (included only on the title page to ensure blind peer review).
  • Department(s) and institution(s) associated with the study.
  • Any disclaimers, if applicable.
  • Corresponding author's details (name, address, phone, fax, and email).
  • Supervisor/Co-supervisor’s name and address.
  • Sources of financial support (grants, equipment, drugs, etc.).
  • Word count for the main text (excluding abstract, acknowledgments, figures, and references) and separately for the abstract.
  • Number of tables and figures.

Conflict of Interest Statement

A separate page should disclose any potential conflicts of interest to prevent oversight. This page should immediately follow the title page.

Abstract & Keywords

The abstract should summarize the study’s background, objectives, methodology, key findings (with effect sizes and statistical significance), and conclusions. It should highlight the study's novelty and importance.

Authors must provide 3–10 keywords reflecting the article’s main themes, preferably using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH).

Introduction

The introduction should outline the study's background, significance, and specific objectives or hypotheses. Clearly define primary and secondary objectives, including any pre-specified subgroup analyses. Avoid excessive references and refrain from presenting results or conclusions.

Materials and Methods

Describe only the information available at the time of study design.

Selection & Description of Participants

Clearly explain participant selection (patients, laboratory animals, controls), including eligibility/exclusion criteria and source population. Define variables such as race/ethnicity and justify their relevance.

Technical Information

Detail methods, equipment (mention manufacturer), and procedures sufficiently for reproducibility. Provide references for well-known methods and descriptions for lesser-known or new techniques, highlighting limitations. Specify drug names, dosages, and administration routes.

Statistical Analysis

Outline statistical methods in detail, including software used, measures of error (e.g., confidence intervals), and defined statistical terms and abbreviations.

Results

Present findings logically in text, tables, and figures. Avoid repeating data and summarize key observations. Provide both absolute values and derived percentages. Use tables or graphs where necessary, ensuring no duplication between them.

Discussion

Focus on key findings, their significance, and comparisons with other studies. Highlight study limitations and implications for future research or clinical practice. Avoid repeating information from the introduction or results.

Conclusion

Ensure conclusions align with study objectives. Avoid unsupported claims, premature priority assertions, or reference to unpublished work. Introduce new hypotheses only if justified.

References

General Considerations

  • Use key original sources rather than review articles.
  • Avoid citing abstracts or unpublished work unless essential and supported with proper permissions.
  • Personal communications should be cited only when necessary and with appropriate consent.

Reference Format

Follow the National Library of Medicine (NLM) guidelines, numbering references in the order they appear in the text. Use Index Medicus abbreviations for journal names.

Tables

Tables should present data concisely while reducing the length of the text.

  • Number tables sequentially.
  • Provide clear and descriptive titles.
  • Use footnotes for explanations.
  • Avoid internal lines.
  • Ensure all tables are cited within the text.

Figures & Illustrations

Figures should be professionally prepared and submitted in high-quality digital formats (e.g., JPEG or GIF). Ensure clarity, legibility, and consistency in labels. Titles and explanations should appear in figure legends rather than on the figures themselves.

  • Photomicrographs must include scale markers and appropriate contrast adjustments for symbols or arrows.
  • Patient photographs require written consent or complete anonymity.
  • Number figures sequentially according to their appearance in the text.

Legends for Figures

Provide legends on a separate page using Arabic numerals corresponding to the figures. Clearly explain all symbols, arrows, and labels.

Units of Measurement

Use metric units (meters, kilograms, liters) and report temperatures in degrees Celsius. Blood pressure should be reported in mmHg unless otherwise specified.

Abbreviations & Symbols

Use only standard abbreviations to avoid confusion. Abbreviations should not be used in the title.

Drug Names

Use generic drug names. If a brand name is necessary, mention it together with the manufacturer's name in parentheses upon first reference in the Methods section.

Guidelines for Authors and Reviewers

Submission Policy

Manuscripts submitted to the Pakistan Journal of Health must be original and submitted exclusively to the journal. Previously published work or manuscripts under review elsewhere will not be accepted. Duplicate submissions are considered publication fraud and may result in disciplinary action.

A complete study following an abstract or conference presentation may be submitted provided it has not been published in full elsewhere. Where uncertainty exists, authors should include copies of related material for editorial review.

Submission Process

To submit a manuscript through the Open Journal Systems (OJS):

  1. Log in to your account or register if you are a new user.
  2. Click New Submission.
  3. Select the appropriate journal section (Original Research, Review, Case Report, etc.).
  4. Enter the manuscript title, abstract, and keywords.
  5. Upload the manuscript in Microsoft Word format.
  6. Upload supplementary files such as figures, tables, ethical approval documents, and cover letter if applicable.
  7. Add complete details of all co-authors, including names, email addresses, and affiliations.
  8. Include any additional information or notes for the editorial office if required.
  9. Review all entered information for accuracy before final submission.
  10. Submit the manuscript.

The editorial office will first assess the submission for compliance with journal requirements before initiating peer review. If revisions are requested, authors must satisfactorily address all comments before final acceptance.

Manuscript Formatting

Manuscripts should be prepared in Microsoft Word using either British or American English (consistently throughout the manuscript), written in the past tense and third-person style. The document should be double-spaced with 1-inch margins on A4 paper.

The manuscript should include the following sections:

  • Title Page
  • Abstract
  • Keywords
  • Main Text
  • References
  • Tables
  • Figure Legends

Subheadings are not permitted except within the abstract. Illustrations and photographs should be submitted in duplicate.

Clinical Trials

All clinical trials must be registered with a recognized public registry such as:

  • WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP)
  • ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP)

Retrospective registration is not accepted. Pilot studies of clinical trials are not considered original articles.

Article Categories

Original Research Articles

  • 2,000–2,500 words
  • Structured abstract (250–300 words)
  • 3–10 keywords
  • Maximum 25 references
  • Maximum 3 tables/illustrations

Clinical Practice Articles

  • 1,500–1,600 words
  • 15–20 references

Review Articles

  • 2,500–3,000 words
  • Non-structured abstract (150 words)
  • 40–60 references

Case Reports

  • 800 words
  • 100–150 word abstract
  • 3–6 references
  • Maximum 2 figures

Short Communications

  • 1,000–2,200 words
  • 250-word structured abstract
  • Maximum 20 references

Letters to the Editor

  • Maximum 400 words
  • Maximum 5 references
  • Signed by up to 3 authors

Articles derived from theses must follow the journal's formatting requirements and include the relevant university approval letter. Research data older than three years is generally not accepted unless considered significant by the Editorial Board.

Ethical Considerations

  • Permission must be obtained before reproducing tables, figures, or photographs from previously published work.
  • Patient confidentiality must be protected at all times.
  • All potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed.
  • Research involving human participants must include ethical approval documentation.

Authorship Criteria

All listed authors must have made significant contributions to the study design, data analysis, manuscript preparation, and final approval of the submitted version.

The journal discourages multiple manuscripts originating from the same research project and gives preference to unpublished case reports from Pakistan.

Copyright & Proofs

Accepted articles become the property of the Pakistan Journal of Health. Authors must submit a signed copyright transfer agreement.

Page proofs will be sent to authors for final correction and should be returned within three days. Major changes at the proof stage will not be accepted.

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