Collaborations on blood transfusion research in sub-Saharan Africa: who, what and where



Fisher, Amelia, Wallis, Selina ORCID: 0000-0002-5490-0528, Hassall, Oliver, Martin, Russell ORCID: 0000-0002-7043-503X and Bates, Imelda
(2020) Collaborations on blood transfusion research in sub-Saharan Africa: who, what and where. VOX SANGUINIS, 115 (3). pp. 221-232.

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Abstract

<h4>Background and objectives</h4>Children and pregnant women use 75% of the blood supply in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) but face widespread blood shortages. To increase safe blood supply, Africa-specific evidence and strengthened capacity for transfusion research are needed. Our study analysed seven years of SSA transfusion publications, compared researched topics against priorities and enumerated SSA transfusion research collaborations.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>Data on research topic, journal type, authors' institutions and country were extracted from transfusion-related SSA articles published between 2008 and 14 and used to construct a quantitative, graphic visualization of collaborations. Research topics were compared to those identified as priorities for SSA blood services in 2008 and 2015.<h4>Results</h4>Of the 2176, 267 articles (average 38/year) met criteria for analysis. They involved 1245 authors, 673 institutions, 59 countries (35 SSA) and 1375 collaborations. About 41% were on transfusion-transmitted infections. About 34% were published in specialist transfusion journals. Only 7% involved exclusively collaborations within SSA. Two of the top fifteen institutions by publication quantity were from outside SSA.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Despite a general paucity of SSA-relevant transfusion research, Francophone SSA was well-represented. Published research topics are not well matched to SSA research priorities; research on supply, distribution, financing and systems is particularly neglected. The study provides a baseline against which to track any refocusing of research activity to better meet SSA's needs. Transfusion research hubs within and beyond SSA have been identified as a springboard network for expanding SSA transfusion research capacity.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Sub-Saharan Africa, blood transfusion, research, collaborations
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 22 May 2020 08:12
Last Modified: 25 Jan 2024 10:36
DOI: 10.1111/vox.12884
Open Access URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/v...
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URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3088290