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J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg
DOI: 10.1055/a-2679-5657
Original Article

A Bibliometric Analysis of Neurosurgical Research in Africa: Trends, Challenges, and Future Directions

Authors

  • Inibehe Ime Okon 

    1   Faculty of Science and Technology, Heritage Polytechnic, Eket, Nigeria
    2   Department of Research, Medical Research Circle (MedReC), Bukavu, DR, Congo

  • Marianna E. Kapsetaki 

    3   Department of Neurosurgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
    4   Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece
    5   Faculty of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, Patra, Greece

  • Olutayo Toriola

    6   Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Ireland

  • Bipin Chaurasia 

    7   Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Clinic, Birgunj, Nepal

  • Muhammad Kabir Musa 

    8   Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

  • Arwa Salam Alabide

    9   Department of Neurosurgery, Kufa University, Kufa, Iraq

  • Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno  III

    10   Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
    11   Center for University Research, University of Makati, Makati City, Philippines
    12   Research Office, Palompon Institute of Technology, Palompon, Leyte, Philippines
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Abstract

Background

Neurosurgery in Africa has quite different realities compared to the developed countries, with emphasis on clinical procedures rather than research. The aim of this study was to conduct a bibliometric analysis of neurosurgical research to understand the trends across Africa. We examined the scientific production, collaboration, and publication impact of African institutions from 2010 to 2024. This bibliometric analysis provides information on the statistical tendencies, challenges, and recommendations to improve engagement in neurosurgical research in Africa.

Methodology

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Bibliometric Analysis (PRIBA) guidelines, a PubMed search was conducted starting on October 9, 2024, where 1,431 publications affiliated with neurosurgical institutions were found. The bibliometric analysis was done using the bibliometrix package from RStudio 4.4.1 version, which involved analyzing the annual scientific production (evaluated in 5-year increments), the countries' scientific production and collaborations, and the most productive affiliations and journals in the context of neurosurgical research in Africa.

Results

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa are the major contributors to neurosurgical research in Africa, with an upward trend in publications predominantly seen in 2023. These countries' most prevalent collaborators are the United States, India, and Burundi, respectively. Regarding the journals, World Neurosurgery, Child's Nervous System, and Neurosurgical Review were the ones that mostly published Africa-affiliated neurosurgical papers.

Conclusion

Amid the challenges, research endeavors in the field of neurosurgery in Africa have yielded some progress, as seen by the upward trend in publication output and the international collaborations among researchers. Recommendations include the need to further strengthen collaborations internationally, infrastructural improvements, and quality enhancement of local research outputs to meet global standards.

Keywords

Africa - bibliometric analysis - research - neurosurgery - neurosurgical research - scientific production

Data Availability Statement

No datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.


Contributors' Statement

All the authors have made equal contributions.




Publication History

Received: 05 April 2025

Accepted: 07 August 2025

Article published online:
13 November 2025

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