ADHERENCE: Journal of Study HIV-AIDS is committed to maintaining high standards of scholarly publishing through a rigorous, fair, and transparent peer-review process. All submitted manuscripts undergo a review procedure to ensure their quality, originality, scientific validity, and relevance to the journal’s focus and scope.

1. Initial Editorial Screening

Upon submission, each manuscript is evaluated by the editorial team to determine its suitability for the journal. The screening process includes:

• Compliance with the journal’s author guidelines.
• Relevance to the journal’s focus and scope.
• Assessment of originality and scientific contribution.
• Evaluation of manuscript structure and language quality.
• Plagiarism screening using plagiarism detection software.

Manuscripts that do not meet the journal’s requirements may be returned to the authors for revision or rejected before entering the peer-review stage.

2. Double-Blind Peer Review

ADHERENCE: Journal of Study HIV-AIDS applies a double-blind peer-review process, in which the identities of both authors and reviewers are concealed throughout the review process. This approach ensures an objective, unbiased, and independent evaluation of submitted manuscripts.

Each eligible manuscript is reviewed by at least two independent reviewers who possess expertise in the relevant field.

3. Review Criteria

Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on the following criteria:

• Originality and novelty of the study.
• Relevance to the journal’s scope.
• Scientific significance and contribution to knowledge.
• Clarity of research objectives and methodology.
• Validity and reliability of data analysis.
• Quality of discussion and conclusions.
• Ethical compliance and academic integrity.
• Adequacy and relevance of references.
• Overall presentation and organization of the manuscript.

4. Review Recommendations

Based on their evaluation, reviewers may recommend one of the following decisions:

• Accept without revision.
• Accept with minor revisions.
• Accept with major revisions.
• Resubmit for further review.
• Reject.

The final publication decision is made by the Editor-in-Chief or the Editorial Board after considering the reviewers’ recommendations.

5. Revision Process

Authors receiving revision requests are expected to revise their manuscripts and submit a response explaining how each reviewer comment has been addressed. Revised manuscripts may be returned to the original reviewers for further evaluation when necessary.

6. Final Decision

After the review and revision process is completed, the editorial team will make one of the following final decisions:

• Accepted for publication.
• Accepted with editorial revisions.
• Rejected.

The editorial decision is final and communicated to the corresponding author through the journal’s submission system.

7. Confidentiality

All manuscripts and review materials are treated as confidential documents. Reviewers, editors, and editorial staff must not disclose any information regarding submitted manuscripts to unauthorized individuals.

8. Ethical Standards

Reviewers are expected to conduct reviews objectively, professionally, and within the agreed timeframe. Any potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed to the editorial team, and reviewers should decline assignments when conflicts may affect their impartiality.

Through this peer-review process, ADHERENCE: Journal of Study HIV-AIDS ensures the publication of high-quality scientific articles that contribute to the advancement of HIV/AIDS research, healthcare practice, and public health.