Top 10 HIV and AIDS Journals

It’s been 40 years since the first cases of HIV/AIDS were reported. Since then, thanks to advances in our understanding of the disease, improved diagnosis and treatment and effective prevention methods, people with HIV are staying healthier for much longer.

To support World AIDS Day, we’ve developed a list of the top HIV/AIDS journals for health professionals who work with people living with HIV/AIDS and the wider community.

Here you will find the top 10 HIV/AIDS journals ranked by the 2-year Journal Impact Factor (2-JIF) – a measure of the frequency with which the articles within the journal are cited in a particular 2-year period.

We have also included these other factors for each journal in our assessment to round off the picture.

Journal Metrics

Impact factor*

The Journal Impact Factor (JIF) is based on Web of Science data and only includes documents such as articles and reviews. The JIF helps to understand the importance of how often articles are cited by addressing the bias that arises from comparing citation numbers. This bias tends to advantage bigger journals over smaller ones, those published more often over those with fewer issues, and older journals over newer ones. This is because larger or older journals usually have more articles to be cited. By considering the impact factor, we can more fairly compare journals by taking into account these differences in size, publication frequency, and age. A JIF of 3 or more is considered good and 1 is average.

CiteScore*

CiteScore is based on Scopus data for all indexed documents, including articles, letters and editorials, as well as articles and reviews. The CiteScore for a particular year is calculated by dividing the number of citations to all indexed documents within the journal from that year and the three preceding years by the total number of documents published in the journal within that same period.

*Impact factor and CiteScore have the most meaning when used to compare journals within the same therapeutic area. Many academics value a journal’s Impact Factor over its Citescore; therefore they will use the impact factor to rank other journals in the same field.

SCImago Journal Rank (SJR)

The SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) indicator evaluates the prestige of academic journals by considering not only the number of citations a journal receives but also the prestige of the journals that issue these citations. An SJR >1.0 is above average. This measurement can be helpful to rank journals within the same field and category.

Source Normalised Impact per Paper (SNIP)

Source Normalised Impact per Paper (SNIP) weights citations based on the total number of citations in a subject field to provide a contextual, subject-specific metric. A SNIP over 1.0 means a journal has more citations than average.

Other Journal considerations

In addition to SJR ranking and journal impact factor, a good quality journal generally has the following characteristics:

1. It is indexed on PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science or another reputable journal index.
2. It has an up-to-date website, a clear scope, extensive information for authors and readers, and a publicly visible editorial board consisting of appropriately qualified board members affiliated with accredited universities and research institutions.
3. Each article is assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

Top 10 HIV/AIDS Journals

Selecting the right journal for your research is a critical step that can make or break the impact of your work. This is where a medcomms agency like Rx Communications can become an essential ally. With a deep understanding of the scientific publishing world and high levels of therapeutic area expertise, a medcomms agency worth its salt should be able to provide support at any stage of the publishing process. This includes assisting in finding journals that match your research area and larger aims, and shaping your manuscript so it reflects the ethos and audience of your chosen journal, as well as guiding you through the entire submission process including managing revisions, and planning for post-publication promotion and dealing with rejection.

Rx can increase your chances of not just getting published, but also ensuring your research makes the waves it deserves.

The Lancet HIV

The Lancet HIV is a peer-reviewed medical journal within The Lancet family focused on covering all aspects of HIV/AIDS research. It includes original research, critical reviews, and commentary on the clinical, epidemiological, operational, and policy aspects of HIV/AIDS worldwide. The journal aims to provide a high-impact forum for the dissemination of significant advances in the understanding, management, and treatment of HIV infection, advocating for global and public health improvements.

• Website: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhiv/home
• Impact Factor: 16.1
• CiteScore: 17.6
• SJR: 3.989
• SNIP: 3.933
• H-Index: 71

Journal of the International AIDS Society

The Journal of the International AIDS Society (JIAS) is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that focuses on all aspects of HIV/AIDS research, including basic science, clinical research, epidemiology, prevention, treatment, public health, and policy issues. It aims to provide a platform for the dissemination of critical research related to the global HIV epidemic, promoting evidence-based approaches to HIV/AIDS interventions and contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the field. It emphasises operational research and implementation science, particularly in low- and middle-income countries

• Website: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/17582652/homepage/productinformation.html
• Impact Factor: 6.0
• CiteScore: 8.4
• SJR: 1.833
• SNIP: 1.675
• H-Index: 78

AIDS Patient Care and STDs

AIDS Patient Care and STDs is dedicated to the clinical and social aspects of AIDS/HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. It publishes original research, reviews, and case studies on the latest advancements in treatment, prevention, and policy related to HIV/AIDS care and management. The journal focuses on improving patient outcomes and public health strategies, offering insights for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers in the field.

• Website: https://home.liebertpub.com/publications/aids-patient-care-and-stds/1/overview
• Impact Factor: 4.9
• CiteScore: 7.0
• SJR: 1.638
• SNIP: 1.563
• H-Index: 91

Current HIV/AIDS Reports

Current HIV/AIDS Reports is a journal focusing on the latest in HIV/AIDS research, spanning clinical care, therapy, co-infections, public health, and policy. It's a key resource for professionals and policymakers, offering insights into prevention, treatment, and care.

• Website: https://link.springer.com/journal/11904
• Impact Factor: 4.6
• CiteScore: 8.5
• SJR: 1.726
• SNIP: 1.74
• H-Index: 67

AIDS and Behavior

AIDS and Behaviour is an international journal for research on the social and behavioural aspects of HIV/AIDS. It includes studies on factors facilitating HIV transmission, interventions, mental health, and the impact of HIV on individuals and communities.

• Website: https://link.springer.com/journal/10461
• Impact Factor: 4.4
• CiteScore: 6.3
• SJR: 1.392
• SNIP: 1.386
• H-Index: 123

Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS

Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS is a bi-monthly journal offering expert reviews in HIV and AIDS research. Recent topics include obesity in HIV patients and advancements in HIV treatment.

• Website: https://journals.lww.com/co-hivandaids/pages/default.aspx
• Impact Factor: 4.1
• CiteScore: 7.2
• SJR: 1.236
• SNIP: 1.152
• H-Index: 74

AIDS

Published 15 times a year, this journal covers a broad range of HIV/AIDS-related topics, including treatment, prevention, and long-term care aspects. The journal particularly welcomes contributions on community-based research, implementation studies and clinical trials.

• Website: https://journals.lww.com/aidsonline/pages/default.aspx
• Impact Factor: 3.8
• CiteScore: 6.3
• SJR: 1.260
• SNIP: 1.246
• H-Index: 226

HIV Medicine

HIV Medicine is focused on clinical, pharmacological, and epidemiological aspects of HIV treatment, this journal caters to researchers and clinicians in HIV medicine.

• Website: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14681293
• Impact Factor: 3.0
• CiteScore: 4.5
• SJR: 0.989
• SNIP: 1.112
• H-Index: 84

AIDS Research and Treatment

This journal publishes research on all aspects of HIV and AIDS, from molecular studies to clinical research and prevention methods.

• Website: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/art/
• Impact Factor: 1.7
• CiteScore: 4.1
• SJR: 0.567
• SNIP: 1.329
• H-Index: 31

AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV

AIDS Care is open access journal explores the psychological and social health aspects of HIV/AIDS, addressing the mental health and well-being of affected individuals. As well as accepting reviews, short reports and original research articles, this journal accepts methodological papers for their online-only Methodological Issue.

• Website: https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/caic20
• Impact Factor: 1.7
• CiteScore: 3.5
• SJR: 0.690
• SNIP: 0.840
• H-Index: 105

Publish or Perish - as true now as it ever was

In the high-stakes world of pharma and biotech, "Publish or Perish" isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s the stark reality. For pharma companies and researchers, it’s not enough to develop breakthroughs; the real challenge lies in getting those findings recognised in top journals. In this game, it’s not just about playing your cards right; it’s about having a seasoned player on your team. With Rx Communications in your corner, you’ll be giving yourself the best chance to make an impact with your research. Explore our Publications Support Services here.

How to Stay Up-to-Date with HIV/AIDS Research Developments

For pharma professionals and researchers working in the field of HIV/AIDS, it is vital to stay abreast of the latest research advancements. To stay on top you might:

• Consider subscribing to our newsletter and receive updates to our top journal lists as well as other relevant industry and therapeutic developments as they happen.
• Register for an account with your selected journal to get direct access to new research as it's published.
• Customise an RSS feed for your selected journals to also further streamline the process, delivering the latest papers and articles directly to your digital doorstep.
• Setting up a Google alert with HIV/AIDS research keywords to capture relevant news and studies from across the web.
• Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of social media; by following the publishers and journals in the field, you’ll tap into a community of shared knowledge and discourse.

References

World AIDS Day

HIV/AIDS, World Health Organization

SCImago Journal & Country Rank

Scopus

* Article originally written by Sarah Cahill and first published in 2021, updated by Beth Howe and the Rx Team for 2024!