Characteristics of the clinical and global neurosurgical research publications from Africa: A scoping review

Mostafa Hossam El Din Moawad; Ammar Mektebi; Ayoub Rezkallah; Taha Fayad; Mohammed Ahmed Sadeq; Ahmed Negida

doi:10.1016/j.bas.2023.101746

Characteristics of the clinical and global neurosurgical research publications from Africa: A scoping review

Brain Spine. 2023 May 9:3:101746. doi: 10.1016/j.bas.2023.101746. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Mostafa Hossam El Din Moawad^{1

2

3}, Ammar Mektebi^{1

4}, Ayoub Rezkallah^{1

5}, Taha Fayad^{1

6}, Mohammed Ahmed Sadeq^{1

7}, Ahmed Negida^{1

8

9

10}

Affiliations

¹ Medical Research Group of Egypt, Cairo, Egypt.
² Faculty of Pharmacy Clinical Department Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
³ Faculty of Medicine Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.
⁴ Kutahya Health Sciences University, Turkey.
⁵ Faculty of Medicine, University of Algiers, Algiers, Algeria.
⁶ Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Sinai University, North Sinai, Egypt.
⁷ Faculty of Medicine, Misr University for Science and Technology, 6th of October City, Egypt.
⁸ Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Sharkia, Egypt.
⁹ School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
¹⁰ Global Neurosurgery Initiative, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Abstract

Introduction: Scientific research has a direct, profound impact on healthcare systems worldwide. While an upward trend can be observed in the number of produced papers in the neurosurgical specialty, disparities still exist between African neurosurgeons on one side and between African neurosurgeons and neurosurgeons from high income countries, on the other.

Research question: This study aims to analyze neurosurgical research produced in Africa to identify gaps in the literature and provide recommendations for aspiring African neurosurgeons for essential research areas.

Materials and methods: Four electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase) were systematically searched for relevant articles on neurosurgery published by African authors. The three main inclusion criteria were: Articles published in the Neurosurgical field, articles published by African authors (whether first authors or co-authors) and articles published in Africa. Data extracted included the study design, scope, neurosurgical subspecialty, and the authors' nationalities.

Results: A total of 982 articles were included in the analysis. Of these articles, 889 (90.6%) were primary, 48 (4.9%) secondary, and 44 (4.5%) other types of research. Global Neurosurgery papers represent 7% of African neurosurgery research output. Most common primary studies included retrospective cohort (32.4%), case reports (28.3%), and prospective cohort (13.8%) studies. The most common secondary research articles were literature reviews (4.9%), letters to the editor (1.2%), and systematic reviews and meta-analyses (0.8%). Common research areas were neuro-oncology 242 (24.7%), spinal surgery 157 (16%), and cerebrovascular (14%). The most common nationalities of the first authors were Egyptian (32.4%), Moroccan (15%), and Nigerian (14.2%).

Discussion and conclusion: This study identifies increased African authorship in neurosurgical research in recent years. Nevertheless, many countries still lack representation in the neurosurgical research scene.Furthermore, a high percentage of the published papers is of low evidence. Therefore, we recommend that African neurosurgical researchers focus more on clinical trials and systematic reviews that directly translate to improving clinical practice. African neurosurgeons should also consider more collaboration between African authors.

Keywords: Africa; Brain; CNS; Clinical subspecialty; Global neurosurgery; Operative neurosurgery; Spinal cord.

Publication types

Review