Cancer research across Africa: a comparative bibliometric analysis

Abstract

IntroductionResearch 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.MethodologyBibliometric 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.ResultsAfrican 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.ConclusionsThere 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.

An analysis of the African cancer research ecosystem: tackling disparities

“…A recent bibliometric analysis of cancer research across Africa showed that SSA contributes only 22% (5281/23 679 papers), of which 42% is from South Africa. 16 Together, South Africa and Egypt contribute 62% of cancer research papers from Africa. 16 As most research from Africa is a result of north–south collaboration, researchers from HICs tend to prioritise collaborations with countries and hospitals where there is a large patient population or where they have previously conducted research.…”

“… 15 This was further confirmed by a comparative bibliometric analysis of cancer research across Africa over a 12-year period (2009–2020), which found that for a total of 5303 papers from SSA, African researchers were likely to be the first author in only 42% and the last author in 30%. 16 As evidenced by these two reviews, the lack of research leadership among African researchers spans all research types from clinical trials to observational studies—majority of the studies in these reports are observational. Additionally, there is clear evidence of major imbalances in global cancer research priorities.…”

“… 17 18 Africa cancer research priorities are parallel to those of funding agencies in high-income Western nations, lacking palliative care, implementation science and qualitative research domains which are relevant to African context. 16 Some types of cancer, such as oesophageal cancer, cervix, prostate and liver cancers, which are common in Africa, are underfunded and understudied in Africa. 16 …”

“… 16 Some types of cancer, such as oesophageal cancer, cervix, prostate and liver cancers, which are common in Africa, are underfunded and understudied in Africa. 16 …”

Machine Learning for Healthcare: A Bibliometric Study of Contributions from Africa

“…Several fields covered by these three clusters are still incubating and do not explain the huge gaps between North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa such as Nanomedicine [120], clinical decision support [121,122] and Drug Discovery [123]. The publication bias towards North Africa is mainly explained by the higher research productivity of this region in fields like Oncology [124], Radiology [125], and Biochemistry [126].…”