Violence Prevention Research in Africa, 2002 to 2020: Lessons From the African Safety Promotion Journal

In this study, we examined trends in research on violence prevention in Africa from 2002 to 2020 through a content analysis of manuscripts published in the African Safety Promotion: A Journal of Injury and Violence Prevention (ASP). With a focus on intentional injury and violence prevention scholarship, the analysis aimed to assess how publications in the ASP documented and contributed to the field of violence prevention over two decades. Drawing from a dataset of 270 manuscripts, we selected 94 for detailed analysis based on their relevance to violence-related themes. Each manuscript was categorised according to its research focus, prevention type and intervention modality, and author characteristics. The findings reveal a strong concentration on violence, with studies primarily dealing with the nature and extent of violence, risk and protective factors, and prevention or intervention strategies. Among the strategies, tertiary prevention efforts predominated, with a focus on enforcement and education strategies. Author characteristics indicated that most manuscripts were co-authored, with most authors identified as female and affiliated with South African institutions. The results underscore a concentrated research focus on the magnitude and impact of violence in Africa, key vulnerable groups and critical interventions. However, the study also reveals significant gaps, particularly in research on primary prevention and broader interdisciplinary collaboration. These findings, based on an analysis of publications in one Africa-focused journal, call for greater research investment in comprehensive, context-specific violence prevention strategies and more publication platforms to address the particularised health and social challenges faced by African populations.