Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis of Health Sciences and Disease (2013–2017): Productivity, Internationalisation, Gender Parity and Epidemiological Transition
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18894287Keywords:
Bibliométrics, Cameroon, medical publishing, editorial transition, scientific parity, international collaboration, French-speaking Africa, HSDAbstract
RÉSUMÉ
Introduction. La trajectoire développementale des revues scientifiques africaines francophones demeure insuffisamment documentée bien que critique pour la souveraineté sanitaire et l'autonomie épistémique du continent.. Cette recherche examine la transformation éditoriale et scientifique de Health Sciences and Disease (HSD) durant les cinq premières années de son existence comme revue électronique open access sous la direction du Pr Samuel Nko'o Amvene. Méthodologie. Il s’agit d’une analyse bibliométrique exhaustive de 353 articles scientifiques issus des 20 numéros trimestriels réguliers publiés entre 2013 et 2017. Vingt-six variables ont été systématiquement codées pour chaque article. Résultats. La productivité scientifique a augmenté (+30,3%, p<0,01), avec une transformation structurelle de la typologie : les articles de recherche progressent de 62,1% à 74,4% (+12,3 points) tandis que les cas cliniques diminuent de 28,8% à 17,4% (-11,4 points). Les collaborations internationales sont multipliées par 6 (3,0% → 18,0%, +56,4% de croissance annuelle). En 2017, HSD publie des auteurs issus de 17 pays (8 africains, 9 hors Afrique) et 28 institutions étrangères partenaires. les femmes premières auteures augmentent (+7,6 points, p=0,03). Les publications de l’université de Yaoundé I diminue de (-7,6 points) tandis que celles des universités de Douala et Ngaoundéré progressent (+3,4 points) et (+2,9 points). Les articles sur les maladies infectieuses diminuent (-5,1 points) tandis que ceux sur les maladies non transmissibles et la santé publique augmentent (+6,5 points) et (+6,4 points). Les publications en français progressent (88,4%) tandis que celle en anglais reculent à 11,6%. Les résumés bilingues explosent de 18,2% à 90,7%. Conclusion. HSD a réalisé une consolidation éditoriale remarquable, passant d'un bulletin institutionnel à une plateforme panafricaine d'excellence. Les défis pour la suite incluent : réduction des asymétries Nord-Sud, accélération de la diversification institutionnelle, conquête de l'indexation internationale.
ABSTRACT
Introduction. The developmental trajectory of French-language African scientific journals remains insufficiently documented, despite its critical importance for the continent's health sovereignty and epistemic autonomy. This research examines the editorial and scientific transformation of Health Sciences and Disease (HSD) during its first five years of existence as an open access electronic journal under the editorship of Professor Samuel Nko'o Amvene. Methodology. This was an exhaustive bibliometric analysis of 353 scientific articles from the 20 regular quarterly issues published between 2013 and 2017. Twenty-six variables were systematically coded for each article. Results. Scientific productivity increased (+30.3%, p<0.01), with a structural transformation in typology: research articles rose from 62.1% to 74.4% (+12.3 points) while clinical cases fell from 28.8% to 17.4% (-11.4 points). International collaborations increased sixfold (3.0% → 18.0%, +56.4% annual growth). In 2017, HSD published authors from 17 countries (8 African, 9 non-African) and 28 foreign partner institutions. Female first authors increased (+7.6 points, p=0.03). Publications from the University of Yaoundé I decreased (-7.6 points), while those from the Universities of Douala and Ngaoundéré increased (+3.4 points) and (+2.9 points). Articles on infectious diseases decreased (-5.1 points) while those on non-communicable diseases and public health increased (+6.5 points) and (+6.4 points). Publications in French increased (88.4%) while those in English declined to 11.6%. Bilingual abstracts skyrocketed from 18.2% to 90.7%. Conclusion. HSD has achieved remarkable editorial consolidation, evolving from an institutional bulletin to a pan-African platform of excellence. Challenges for the future include: reducing North-South asymmetries, accelerating institutional diversification, and achieving international indexing.
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