Cancer research across Africa: a comparative bibliometric analysis
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMJ Global Health
Abstract
Research is a critical pillar in national cancer
control planning. However, there is a dearth of evidence
for countries to implement affordable strategies. The WHO
and various Commissions have recommended developing
stakeholder-based
needs assessments based on objective
data to generate evidence to inform national and regional
prioritisation of cancer research needs and goals.
Methodology Bibliometric algorithms (macros) were
developed and validated to assess cancer research outputs
of all 54 African countries over a 12-year
period (2009–
2020). Subanalysis included collaboration patterns, site
and domain-specific
focus of research and understanding
authorship dynamics by both position and sex. Detailed
subanalysis was performed to understand multiple impact
metrics and context relative outputs in comparison with
the disease burden as well as the application of a funding
thesaurus to determine funding resources.
Results African countries in total published 23 679 cancer
research papers over the 12-year
period (2009–2020) with
the fractional African contribution totalling 16 201 papers
and the remaining 7478 from authors from out with the
continent. The total number of papers increased rapidly
with time, with an annual growth rate of 15%. The 49
sub-Saharan
African (SSA) countries together published
just 5281 papers, of which South Africa’s contribution
was 2206 (42% of the SSA total, 14% of all Africa) and
Nigeria’s contribution was 997 (19% of the SSA total, 4%
of all Africa). Cancer research accounted for 7.9% of all
African biomedical research outputs (African research
in infectious diseases was 5.1 times than that of cancer
research). Research outputs that are proportionally low
relative to their burden across Africa are paediatric,
cervical, oesophageal and prostate cancer. African
research mirrored that of Western countries in terms of its
focus on discovery science and pharmaceutical research.
The percentages of female researchers in Africa were
comparable with those elsewhere, but only in North African
and some Anglophone countries.
Conclusions There is an imbalance in relevant local
research generation on the continent and cancer control
efforts. The recommendations articulated in our five-point
plan arising from these data are broadly focused on
structural changes, for example, overt inclusion of research
into national cancer control planning and financial, for
example, for countries to spend 10% of a notional 1%
gross domestic expenditure on research and development
on cancer.
Description
Keywords
Cancer research, Africa, Bibliometric analysis
Citation
Mutebi M, Lewison G, Aggarwal A, et al. Cancer research across Africa: a comparative bibliometric analysis. BMJ Global Health 2022;7:e009849. doi:10.1136/ bmjgh-2022-009849