A Brief Overview of Issues Addressed by EJHD Publications (Including Index)

Abstract

Background: The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development (EJHD) has been in print for twenty five years now. On the occasion of its silver jubilee anniversary, it may be of interest to reflect on its activities and the possible impacts it has made on health development of the country.
Objective: To highlight the major issues that have been addressed by the Ethiopian Journal of Health Development during its publication in the last 25 years
Methods: Going through the index of articles published during the 25 years of the Journal’s existence and comparing them with the original objectives of the Journal and achievements made in the major health policy and programs of the country.
Results: A total of 704 articles were published in the EJHD between its first issue in July 1984 and Volume 22 No3 of 2008. Among these 577 are original articles, 14 are review articles and the rest include: brief reports, special reports, updates, opinions, news, book reviews, letters to the editor and editorials. In addition, the Journal has published abstracts of papers presented at the third (38) and fourth (46) annual conferences of the Ethiopian Public Health Association (EPHA) in 1992 and 1993.
Conclusions: Overall, publications in the EJHD seem to reflect issues that are relevant to the Ethiopian health sector and its programs. However, the extent to which the publications have addressed health sector issues as well as the original objectives of the journal needs to be revisited for strengthened future action that meaningfully impact policies and programs.