AUTHORSHIP IN THE EAST-AFRICAN MEDICAL JOURNAL

Between 1978 and 1987, Kenyan authors contributed an average of 47% of papers published in the East African Medical Journal (EAMJ), in compa rison to 24% originating from Nigeria and 29% from other countries, ma inly those in the eastern and central African region. From January 198 8 to December 1993, 44.1% of the papers published in EAMJ originated f rom Kenyan authors as compared to 26.7% from Nigerian authors and 29.2 % from authors in other countries. During this six year period, there has been a steady increase in authorship from Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Zim babwe, Ethiopia and Tanzania, whereas authorship from Uganda and Zambi a has declined. Many authors from Saudi Arabia are individuals origina lly from Nigeria now working in Saudi Arabia. These data indicate that Kenyan authorship has dropped by 3% over the last six years compared to the 1978-1987 period, while that of Nigeria has increased by at lea st 3% over the same period. During the period under review, EAMJ has a ttracted papers from as far as China, Turkey, Malaysia, Canada, USA, F rance, Sweden and Hungary. Similarly, papers have been received from o ther African countries not previously contributing to the journal; the se include: Gabon, Mozambique, RSA, Burkina Faso, Botswana, Burundi, N amibia, Liberia, Egypt, Somalia and Zaire. Possible factors influencin g authorship in the EAMJ are discussed.