ISSN 1694-8882 / e-ISSN 1694-8890
Vol. 18, No. 1, 2026 / Pages 73-92

Bibliometric analysis of the publication activity of the journal “Maternal and Child Health” based on the RSCI. Part II. Recommendations for improving publication quality

brimkulov@list.ru

Received 01.12.2025
Revised 03.02.2026
Accepted 27.02.2026

Abstract

National medical journals play a key role in shaping the scientific agenda, advancing research, and translating scientific evidence into clinical and organisational practice, particularly in the field of maternal and child health. The aim of this study was to synthesise the findings of a bibliometric analysis of the publication activity of the journal “Maternal and Child Health” and to develop recommendations aimed at promoting research in the field of maternal and child health. A retrospective bibliometric analysis was conducted of 510 articles published in the journal “Maternal and Child Health” and indexed in the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI) between 2009 and 2025. An adapted PRISMA flow diagram was used for study selection. A total of 61 journal issues were examined, and citation indicators together with author and institutional profiles were analysed. The findings showed that the journal’s citation impact is primarily driven by publications from its formative years (2009-2011), predominantly in paediatrics and epidemiology. Of the 510 publications, 140 were authored by a single researcher, while large multicentre research teams were represented only sporadically. The analysis confirmed a high degree of institutional concentration and the predominance of single-author and small collaborative teams, limiting the development of multicentre research. Furthermore, the five most productive authors were affiliated with the journal’s publishing institution, the National Centre for Maternal and Child Health. Recommendations are proposed for the digital transformation of the editorial process, the internationalisation of journal content, and the promotion of interinstitutional collaboration. The findings may be useful for editors and publishers of national medical journals, specialists in bibliometrics, and healthcare administrators seeking to enhance the quality and international visibility of regional scientific journals

Keywords

maternal and child health; paediatrics; scientific journal; bibliometrics; citation analysis; Hirsch index; editorial policy

Suggested citation

APA Style
Dzhunushalieva, G., Mambetalieva, B., Isaeva, A. & Brimkulov, N. (2026). Bibliometric analysis of the publication activity of the journal “Maternal and Child Health” based on the RSCI. Part II. Recommendations for improving publication quality. Eurasian Health Journal, 18(1), 73-92. https://doi.org/10.54890/1694-8882-2026-1-73
Copied!
Vancouver Style
Dzhunushalieva, G., Mambetalieva, B., Isaeva, A., Brimkulov, N.. Bibliometric analysis of the publication activity of the journal “Maternal and Child Health” based on the RSCI. Part II. Recommendations for improving publication quality. Eurasian Health J. 2026;18(1):73-92. https://doi.org/10.54890/1694-8882-2026-1-73
Copied!

References

  1. Brimkulov N, Dzhunushalieva G, Mambetalieva B, Isaeva A. Bibliometric analysis of journal publication activity “Maternal and Child Health”, according to RSCI data: Part I. Eurasian Health J. 2025;17(4):226–40. DOI: 10.54890/1694-8882-2025-4-226
  2. Semenov EV. A national network of academic journals as a system: Problems before and after sanctions. Universe Russ. 2023;32(3):145–66. DOI: 10.17323/1811-038X-2023-32-3-145-166
  3. Buckner L, Carter H, Ahankari A, Banerjee R, Bhar S, Bhat S, et al. Three-year review of a capacity building pilot for a sustainable regional network on food, nutrition and health systems education in India. BMJ Nutr Prev Health. 2021;4(1):59–68. DOI: 10.1136/bmjnph-2020-000180
  4. Jamali H, Danaei D. University-industry collaboration and research commercialization in Australia: A review article. Int J Inf Sci Manag. 2025;23(3):51–75. DOI: 10.22034/ijism.2025.2049526.1688
  5. Turgel ID, Derbeneva VV, Novokshonova ZV. Journals indexed in international science indexing databases: Long echoes of the “5-100”. Sociol Sci Technol. 2024;15(3):253–78. DOI: 10.24412/2079-0910-2024-3-253-278
  6. Kocyigit BF, Akyol A, Gulov MK, Yessirkepov M. Comparative analysis of Central Asian publication activity using SCImago Journal & Country Rank data in 1996-2021. J Korean Med Sci. 2023;38(14):e104. DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e104
  7. Kocyigit BF, Aukenov N, Yessirkepov M, Nurmashev B. Regional and local journals in the academic ecosystem. Cent Asian J Med Hypotheses Ethics. 2025;6(4):269–73. DOI: 10.47316/cajmhe.2025.6.4.01
  8. Hoang AD. Evaluating bibliometrics reviews: A practical guide for peer review and critical reading. Eval Rev. 2025;49(6):1074–102. DOI: 10.1177/0193841X251336839
  9. Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Murlow CD, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 2021;372:n71. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.n71
  10. Yuanti Y, Sabaruddin E, Rostianingsih D. Maternal and child health interventions: A bibliometric assessment of global research landscape. West Sci Interdiscip Stud. 2023;1(8):610–20. DOI: 10.58812/wsis.v1i08.185
  11. eLIBRARY.RU [Internet]. [cited 2026 April 22]. Available from: https://elibrary.ru/
  12. eLIBRARY.RU. Journal profile: “Maternal and Child Health” [Internet]. [cited 2026 April 22]. Available from: https://elibrary.ru/title_profile.asp?id=63466
  13. Saatova GM, Nakajima T, Omurzakova N. Rheumatic fever in Kyrgyzstan: Prevalence, consequences, strategy of control. Sci Pract J Matern Child Health. 2009;1:60–6.
  14. Rybalkina LD, Maksutova IM, Omoshova OJ. Reproductive system of the person in conditions of ecological trouble. Sci Pract J Matern Child Health. 2009;1:19–22.
  15. Kucherbaev AA. Hemorrhagic vasculitis in children. Sci Pract J Matern Child Health. 2009;1:67–72.
  16. Ishenalieva ChA. Estimination of urgent obstetric help in Kyrgyz Republic, as a factor of decrease of the maternal death rate. Sci Pract J Matern Child Health. 2009;1:23–8.
  17. Mamyrbaeva TT, Anarbaeva AA. Approaches to prevention of alimentary dependent diseases of small children in the Kyrgyz Republic. Sci Pract J Matern Child Health. 2009;1:73–6.
  18. Sarzhanova KS. Practical nutrition of children and teenagers in different regions of the Kyrgyz Republic. Sci Pract J Matern Child Health. 2009;1:77–84.
  19. Asheraliev ME, Majmerova GSh. Comparative efficiency of modes of the combined therapy at children with a bronchial asthma. Sci Pract J Matern Child Health. 2011;2:17–20.
  20. Kudayarov DK. Health is the spring of life. Sci Pract J Matern Child Health. 2009;1:6–10.
  21. Shaiderova IG. Intracardiac hemodinamics at children with acute and relapsing pathology of lungs complicated by the bronchoobstructive syndrome. Sci Pract J Matern Child Health. 2009;1:85–8.
  22. Saatova GM, Furtikova AB, Burabaev BD. The concept of early primary preventive maintenance of cardiovascular diseases in Kyrgyzstan. Sci Pract J Matern Child Health. 2025;17(4):22–7.
  23. Abdyshev TK. Telemedicine and mobile applications as a tool for digital transformation of healthcare. Sci Pract J Matern Child Health. 2025;17(4):55–62.
  24. Nurmukhamedov TN, Poroschay VN, Peredereev RA, Temirkulov ChK. Frequency of application, features of clinical manifestations of diagnostics of foreign bodies in the digestive tract in children. Sci Pract J Matern Child Health. 2025;17(4):69–75.
  25. Kadyrkulov AZh, Esembayev BI, Ergeshov TA, Turkbayev DI, Badalov MI. Laparoscopic treatment of a giant embryonic cyst of the abdominal cavity and pelvis in an infant. Sci Pract J Matern Child Health. 2025;17(4):81–5.
  26. Garaeva SZ, Hasanguliyeva GM, Novruzova GA, Veliyeva KT. Perinatal risk factors in newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Sci Pract J Matern Child Health. 2025;17(4):28–33.
  27. Scientific and Practical Journal Maternal and Child Health [Internet]. [cited 2026 April 22]. Available from: https://zmr.kg/.
  28. Yessirkepov M, Kocyigit BF. Challenges and perspectives of publishing valuable journals. Cent Asian J Med Hypotheses Ethics. 2025;6(1):11–3. DOI: 10.47316/cajmhe.2025.6.1.01
  29. Gasparyan AY, Yessirkepov M, Voronov AA, Koroleva AM, Kitas GD. Updated Editorial Guidance for Quality and Reliability of Research Output. J Korean Med Sci. 2018;33(35):e247. DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e247
  30. Zimba O, Gasparyan AY. Scientific authorship: A primer for researchers. Reumatologia. 2020;58(6):345–9. DOI: 10.5114/reum.2020.101999
  31. Yamshchikov GV, Schmid GP. Publication practices and attitudes towards evidence-based medicine in Central Asia. Lancet Glob Health. 2013;1(2):e73–e74. DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(13)70022-6
  32. Ahmed S, Yessirkepov M. Peer reviewers in Central Asia: Publons based analysis. J Korean Med Sci. 2021;36(25):e169. DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e169
  33. Mebane CA. Double-blind peer review is detrimental to scientific integrity. Environ Toxicol Chem. 2025;44(2):318–23. DOI: 10.1093/etojnl/vgae046
  34. Vecchio A, Nandawula B, Sawyer K, Amisi JA, Szkwarko D, Chang KZ. Authorship inequity in global health research conducted in low- and middle-income countries and published in high-income country family medicine journals. Ann Fam Med. 2025;23(3):223–30. DOI: 10.1370/afm.240431