Profiling African Health Journals: A Bibliometric Study

Objectives: This study aimed to map out African health journals using publicly-available information on major databases. Methods: The authors searched the Journals Online Library (AJOL) and Scientific Journal Rankings (SJR) databases from their inception in 1998 1996 respectively 17 October 2020, identified journals. extracted data journal scope, PubMed indexation, open-access status, publishing fees, Publishing Practices Standards rating bibliometrics. were compared with other regions Chi-square test odds ratio. Results: AJOL had 173 registered its database. One hundred (57.8%) actively publishing. Fifty-seven (32.9%) a 1-star 4 (2.3%) 2-star ratings. 112 (64.7%) no star rating. scope spanned all aspects of health. Few ( n = 20) or SJR 22) indexed. On average, lower total publications (median [IQR]: 52.0 [29.0–74.8] vs. 140.0 [75.8–272.5]), references (55.0 [19.5–74.8] 160.0 [42.0–519.8]), H-index (12.2 [5.0–14.0] 39.1 [10.0–53.0]) (P=0.01) regions. Conclusion: face unique challenges that require targeted interventions.