Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
Surgical Correction for Pediatric Epiblepharon and Trichiasis
Published on: July 8, 2025
Evaluation of clinical research reporting in African Journal of Paediatric Surgery
Abdulrasheed A Nasir1, Kokila Lakhoo
1Department of Surgery, Division of Paediatric Surgery, University of Ilorin and University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Insights
Clinical research reporting in the African Journal of Paediatric Surgery shows significant deficiencies. Most observational studies lack essential criteria, hindering the interpretation of paediatric surgery findings.
Area of Science:
- Paediatric Surgery
- Clinical Research Methodology
- Medical Publication Standards
Background:
- The African Journal of Paediatric Surgery (AJPS) is a key resource for paediatric surgeons in Africa.
- Observational studies are prevalent in paediatric surgical literature.
- Assessing the quality of clinical research reporting in AJPS is crucial for evidence-based practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the adequacy of clinical research reporting in observational studies published in the African Journal of Paediatric Surgery.
- To identify specific deficiencies in study design and statistical reporting.
- To provide recommendations for improving research transparency and reproducibility.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of all observational studies published in AJPS between 2006 and 2010 (n=73).
- Utilized a validated tool to assess 16 essential baseline reporting criteria for clinical data.
- Assessed seven additional criteria for studies employing control groups.
Main Results:
- The majority of studies (67%) were retrospective, with only 5.5% using control groups.
- Most studies (98.6%) were case series.
- Studies met fewer than half of the essential reporting criteria (mean 7.3/16), with widespread deficiencies in study design and statistical analysis.
Conclusions:
- Significant deficiencies exist in the fundamental reporting elements of clinical research in AJPS.
- These reporting gaps impede the accurate interpretation of paediatric surgery research findings.
- Adoption of validated reporting criteria by AJPS is recommended to enhance the quality and utility of published research.
Background:
Clinical research forms the cornerstone of efforts to improve the lives of patients. African Journal of Paediatric Surgery has been a major vehicle for dissemination of information to paediatric surgeons in Africa since 2004. Most studies in the paediatric surgical literature are observational studies. This study aims to assess the adequacy of clinical research reporting in African Journal paediatric surgery.
Materials And Methods:
The authors analyzed all observational studies published in African Journal of Paediatric Surgery from 2006 to 2010 (n = 73). Studies were assessed using a validated tool for 16 baseline criteria essential for the non-biased reporting of clinical data (details regarding surgeons, cases, interventions, and statistical methods). Seven additional criteria pertaining to comparison methods were assessed in studies using controls.
Results:
Sixty-seven percent of all studies were retrospective, and only 5.5% utilized a control group. There were 72 (98.6%) case series. Most studies met less than half of the essential reporting criteria (mean, 7.3 of 16 baseline criteria). Reporting deficiencies were found in all major aspects of study design and statistical analysis. There is no statistical difference between prospective and retrospective studies.
Conclusions:
This study has identified deficiencies in the fundamental elements essential to non-biased reporting of clinical research in African Journal of Paediatric Surgery. We recommend that the Journal adopt the validated standard reporting criteria for these studies to improve the ability of its readers to interpret the relevance of clinical research findings to their own practice.