Evidence-based biomedical research in Sub-Saharan Africa: how library and information science professionals contribute to systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the contributions of library and information science (LIS) professionals to systematic reviews and meta-analyses with authors from Sub-Saharan Africa. It also investigated how the first author’s address and type of collaboration affected the involvement of LIS professionals in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Methods: Bibliographic data of systematic reviews with author(s) from the forty-six Sub-Saharan African countries was retrieved from MEDLINE. Content and bibliometric analyses were performed on the systematic reviews' full-texts and bibliographic data, respectively, to identify the contributions of LIS professionals and collaboration patterns. Results: Beyond traditional roles as search strategy developers and searchers, the LIS professionals participated in article retrieval, database selection, reference management, draft review, review conceptualization, manuscript writing, technical support, article screening and selection, data extraction, abstract review, and training/teaching. Of the 2,539 publications, LIS professionals were mentioned in 472 publications. LIS professionals from only seven of the forty-six Sub-Saharan African countries were noted to have contributed. LIS professionals from South Africa were mentioned most frequently—five times more than those from other Sub-Saharan African countries. LIS professionals from Sub-Saharan Africa mostly contributed to publications with first authors from Sub-Saharan Africa (90.20%) and intra-Sub-Saharan African collaboration (61.66%). Most LIS professionals (97.91%) that contributed to international collaboration publications were from outside Sub-Saharan Africa. Conclusion: The contribution of LIS professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa to evidence-based biomedical research can improve through training, mentoring, and collaboration between LIS associations in Sub-Saharan Africa and those in countries with resources and a history of research collaboration with the region.

Emerging Technologies: Leveraging Digital Literacy for Self-Sufficiency Among Library Professionals

“…Library professionals must adapt to these changes and harness emerging technologies to remain relevant in the digital era. (1,2) Emerging technologies encompass a broad spectrum of innovations that are in the early stages of development and adoption. They include fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, quantum computing, biotechnology, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), and the Internet of Things (IoT).…”

“…Another issue is understanding the risks associated with online activities and ensuring safe information practices is crucial in today's digital environment. (2,16) Therefore, librarians need to be well-versed in cybersecurity and privacy issues to protect patrons' data and digital assets.…”

A Scientometric Analysis of Africa’s Health Science Journals Indexed in International and Regional Databases: A Comparative Analysis

“…A number of studies indicate that, compared to other parts of the world, African health sciences research has had little scientific impact [ 1 , 2 ]. This is mostly because there are few African journals included in the international citation databases [ 1 , 3 , 4 ], which reduces the visibility of the continent’s health science research. Several studies have reported an increase in scientific impact following indexing of journals in international and regional citation databases as it increases visibility [ 5 – 8 ].…”