Abstract 114: Funders and Collaborators of Cancer Research in Kenya, 2007-2017: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: It is well established that cancer research is essential to the development and implementation of effective control strategies and interventions. In Kenya, cancer is the third leading cause of death. Country specific research conducted by both local and international investigators has the potential to shape a national plan which addresses local needs across the cancer care continuum. This analysis aims to provide information about the trends in research collaborations, funding and outputs from 2007-2017 types of research collaborations, institutional and individual research collaborations, the types of cancer in order to understand gaps and opportunities to strengthen Kenya-led cancer research capacity. Methods: This analysis included 243 studies from a previously published phase 1 scoping review of oncology research conducted in Kenya from 2007-2017. The citation metadata was drawn from Pubmed and manually standardized in Microsoft Excel. Using Sci2, a series of bibliometric network analyses were conducted to identify funding patterns, collaborations between authors and institutions, and the types of cancer research conducted in Kenya. Gephi and Excel provided descriptive analyses and graphs of the network. The analyses are categorized into three themes: article production, collaboration, and research topics. These findings were contextualized by study co-authors from Kenya and the US. Results: The bibliometric analysis described which agencies are funding cancer research in Kenya, which authors and institutions are collaborating with whom, and the cancer research areas most published on in this dataset. The publication trend from 2007-2017 was highlighted, emphasizing the historical development and enabling important recognition of researchers and funders in advancing medical oncology in Kenya. Conclusion: This study identifies future areas for collaborations between investigators in similar sub-fields and cancer research funding priorities for the nation. The findings provide a bigger picture that will guide policymakers on developing evidence-based decision-making, planning to strengthen future research capacity, and funding. Citation Format: Jasmin Vargas, Anyona Joseph, Martha Maina, Alfred Karagu, Mishka Cira, Ya-Ling Lu, Alicia Livinski. Funders and Collaborators of Cancer Research in Kenya, 2007-2017: A Bibliometric Analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 9th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Global Cancer Research and Control: Looking Back and Charting a Path Forward; 2021 Mar 10-11. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2021;30(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 114.