To assess the quantity of epidemiological publications emanating from Africa, three international epidemiology journals were examined. In addition, a separate MEDLINE search was undertaken for 1987 and 1989-1990 to assess AIDS/HIV prevalence and incidence publications. Of 361 general epidemiological articles examined for 1974-1975, 49.3% were from the US, 20.5% from the UK, 11.1% from Europe, 10.2% from the rest of America, 4.4% from Asia, 3.9% from Australasia and 0.06% (only two) from Africa. The overall proportion from the USA declined to 44.0% by 1989-1990; from the UK to 11.1% while from South America and Australasia the proportion remained similar. Striking increases occurred in Europe and to a lesser extent in Asia. By 1989-1990 African articles contributed 3.6% (31) of the total. While over 90% of first authors came from the study region in the US, UK, Europe and Australasia; 85.7% in Asia; 70.8% in South America in 1989-1990, in Africa only 32.2% were authors from their continent. Of the 220 published articles on AIDS/HIV epidemiology 6.8% emanated from Africa in 1987 and 12% of 606 articles in 1989-1990. African scientists were first authors in 46.7% of articles from the continent in 1987 and only 35.5% in 1989 and 1990. In 1987, 60% of the articles were co-authored by overseas scientists of various nationalities while collaborative publications increased to 78.4% in 1989-1990. Only 15% of these articles were published in African Journals. This study stresses the urgent need for improving all aspects of epidemiological research and training in Africa with particular need with respect to AIDS/HIV research capacity.