Abstract
BackgroundFragile states pose a global challenge. Assessing health research activity on people living in these states can help identify neglected health domains in fragile settings. The objective of the current study was to assess and describe health research activity on people living in fragile states in the alert zone.MethodA bibliometric method was applied using SciVerse Scopus. Research articles published on people in fragile states in the alert zone were retrieved and analyzed. The Fragile State Index (FSI) score was used for selection of states in the alert zone. The analysis was limited to 1 year; 2018.ResultsThe search query found 2299 research articles giving an average of 2 research articles per one million population per year in the selected fragile states. The number of research articles per one million population was not significantly correlated (p = 0.053; r = − 0.349) with FSI scores. However, it was significantly correlated with the extent of international research collaboration (p < 0.01, r = 065). Research on communicable diseases was the largest research domain (763 articles; 33.2%) followed by maternal/women’s health (430 articles; 18.7%), non-communicable diseases (291 articles; 12.7%), health system/policy (271 articles; 11.8%) and psychosocial and mental health (89; 3.9%). There were three research themes in the research domain of infectious diseases: HIV/AIDS; water-borne infectious diseases; and miscellaneous infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. The top ten cited articles were mainly on infectious diseases, particularly on malaria and Lassa fever. Of all the retrieved documents, 727 (31.6%) research articles appeared in national/regional journals while the remaining appeared in international journals. The World Health organization was the most active funding organization for research on fragile states. Top ten active institutions were mainly based in fragile states with the lowest FSI score, specifically Ethiopia, Uganda, Nigeria, and Pakistan.ConclusionResearch on fragile states was relatively low. Research on mental health and health system/policy should be encouraged. Collaboration and funding might help academic institutions in fragile states to make health problems in these countries more visible.
Highlights
Top ten active institutions were mainly based in fragile states with the lowest Fragile State Index (FSI) score, Ethiopia, Uganda, Nigeria, and Pakistan
The objective of the current study was to carry out a bibliometric analysis of health-related articles published in 2018 on people living in fragile states in the alert zone (i.e. FSI > 90)
The current study aimed to describe and analyze healthrelated publication on people living in fragile states listed in the alert zone based on the FSI scores
Summary
Assessing health research activity on people living in these states can help identify neglected health domains in fragile settings. The objective of the current study was to assess and describe health research activity on people living in fragile states in the alert zone. It is estimated that approximately more than one billion people are living in fragile states, mostly in low-income countries [3]. Different international agencies agree that a fragile state is characterized by failure to meet its citizens’ basic daily demands. It is agreed that without international support and engagement, a fragile state will continue to fall apart [3, 5, 6].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
