Author Guidelines

Submission of Manuscripts

The Pakistan Journal of Healthcare considers original manuscripts for publication. Authors must ensure that neither the manuscript nor its key components are submitted to any other publication prior to acceptance in this journal.

Online Submission

Corresponding authors must create an account on our website or log in to an existing account. A straightforward 5-step submission process must be completed. Manuscripts should be anonymized, with no author identifiers (names, titles, affiliations, or locations). Author details should be included in the metadata. Supplementary materials, such as data files and fee documents, may also be submitted as needed.

Language

Our journal publishes in English, with a preference for British English, although American English is acceptable when suitable.

Writing Style and Format

Manuscripts should be formatted in Times New Roman, size 12, justified, with single line spacing. Tables and illustrations (figures, charts, images) should be embedded within the text at appropriate locations, not appended at the end.

Submission Format by Manuscript Type

  • Review Article: Maximum 4,000 words, excluding references.

  • Original Article: Maximum 3,000 words, plus a structured abstract of 250 words and at least 20 references.

  • Case Report: Structure: Abstract; Introduction; Case Report; Discussion and Conclusion.

  • Short Report: Structure: Abstract; Introduction; Patients, Methods, and Results; Conclusion.

  • Special Communication: Structure: Abstract; Introduction; Methods and Results; Conclusion.

  • Short Communications / Case Reports: Maximum 1,250 words, excluding the title page and an unstructured abstract of 150 words, with no more than two tables or figures and up to 10 references. A maximum of six authors is allowed.

  • Letters to the Editor: Maximum 250 words for responses to recent articles, or 400 words for other topics. These must include no more than five references and one figure or table, and can have a maximum of three authors. Letters must be submitted within four weeks of the original article's publication.

Title of the Manuscript

The title should reflect the study’s design, objectives, and key variables, as well as the population's characteristics and geographical context. Avoid abbreviations in the title. Each manuscript should also include five to ten keywords that align with the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) available at: https://meshb.nlm.nih.gov/.

Abbreviations

Standard abbreviations should be utilized. Upon first use, the full term must be presented, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. Widely recognized abbreviations may be used without prior definition.

Tables and Illustrations

  1. There is no limit on the number of tables and illustrations, provided they are relevant to the manuscript.

  2. Each table and illustration should be self-explanatory and not reliant on the text for understanding.

  3. Each table and illustration must include a descriptive legend beneath it.

  4. Illustrations should be of high quality, with editable graphs and charts.

  5. Appropriate legends should accompany all tables and illustrations.

  6. If a table or illustration is sourced from previously published material, proper citation is required.

  7. Permission must be obtained to reproduce any previously published illustrations.

References

  1. References should adhere to the Vancouver style.

  2. Number references consecutively within the text, using Arabic numerals as is standard in medical literature.

  3. For authors, provide full last names followed by initials of first names, with a maximum of six authors listed. For works with more than six authors, list the first six followed by "et al."

  4. Journal titles should be spelled out completely, followed by volume and issue numbers.

  5. Include DOI links where available; otherwise, provide online access links.

Example Reference:
Raza H, Hasan ZL, Zahra A, Mansoor H. Frequency and risk factors for hepatitis C among pregnant women. Pak J Med Sci 2021; 7:135-8.

Units of Measurement

Use the International System of Units (SI) whenever applicable.

Drug Names

Generic drug names are preferred; brand names may be included in parentheses if necessary.

6. Data Analysis Plan

Research, ideally, aims to investigate an entire population. However, due to logistical constraints, data is often collected from a sample instead. Statistical techniques enable researchers to analyze this sample and infer conclusions about the broader population, using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics summarize the sample data, while inferential statistics allow for generalizations about the population, including hypothesis testing and parameter estimation.

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis

  • Qualitative analysis deals with non-numerical data like text, audio, or images.

  • Quantitative analysis focuses on numerical data and is classified into:

    • Descriptive analysis: Summarizes the sample data (e.g., means, medians, ranges).

    • Inferential analysis: Draws conclusions about the population using hypothesis testing and parameter estimation.

Descriptive Statistics

Categorical data (nominal and ordinal) is analyzed by frequency and percentage. Numeric data (interval and ratio) is first tested for normality using skewness, kurtosis, Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, or histograms:

  • Normally distributed data: Analyzed by mean, standard deviation (SD), range, and extremes.

  • Non-normally distributed data: Summarized by median, quartiles (Q1, Q3), and interquartile range (IQR = Q3 - Q1).

Inferential Statistics

Two main methods are used for inferential analysis:

  1. Estimation of parameters: Confidence intervals (usually at 95%) are calculated around the sample mean or proportion to estimate population parameters. For example, the mean blood sugar of a sample might be 110 mg/dL with a confidence interval of 105.5–114.5 mg/dL.

  2. Hypothesis testing: Even in cross-sectional studies, hypotheses can be tested. A common misunderstanding is that cross-sectional studies don't require hypotheses, but many such studies, especially in public health, do involve multiple hypotheses related to the prevalence or distribution of conditions like malaria or tuberculosis.

Results

  1. Sample Preparation: Report total number of participants, group breakdowns, and any losses (due to death, dropout, etc.).

  2. Descriptive Analysis: Analyze and describe each variable independently, using appropriate statistical measures.

  3. Parameter Estimation: Present confidence intervals for key statistics.

  4. Hypothesis Testing: Report the outcomes of hypothesis tests, detailing any statistically significant differences or relationships.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Results should be summarized in non-statistical terms, focusing on the major findings without speculation. Any recommendations should be evidence-based and clearly linked to the study’s objectives and results.