Urology research publications: lessons learned from a developing country

BMC Research Notes

Fayez T Hammad¹ 

[1] Departments of Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, PO Box 17666, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

关键词: Developing country;    Research;    Urology;   

Others  :  1132301
DOI  :  10.1186/1756-0500-7-429

 received in 2014-04-08, accepted in 2014-06-26,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

There is very limited data on the nature and type of published research in the field of Urology in the developing countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the Urology research activities in one of the Gulf counties (United Arab Emirates (UAE) to define areas of deficiencies and challenges in a trial to learn some lessons to improve research in developing countries.

Results

A total of 96 manuscripts were published from UAE up to 2012. The first publication was in 1985. There is an overall increase in the number of manuscripts published per year over time (one manuscript in 1985 vs. 10 manuscripts in 2012). Forty seven (49%) manuscripts came from the main academic institute (UAE University) and the rest came from the many hospitals around the country. There were 68 original research articles, 4 reviews and 24 case reports. 64 manuscripts represented clinical whereas 32 represented laboratory-based research. The manuscripts represented various urology subspecialties, the commonest of which was urinary obstruction and urolithiasis (n = 19). None of the manuscripts represented a proper epidemiological research. The research activities were sporadic and driven by individuals during particular periods with lack of continuity.

Conclusions

Despite the increasing number of urology articles in this developing country, there is a lack of proper epidemiological studies to identify the local prevalence and behaviour of various conditions. There is also a lack of research groups and hence a lack of continuity of research in any particular field as the research is usually driven by specific research-oriented individuals the departure of who results in a cease in the research activities. Moreover, there is an evidence of lack of research training and capability in the majority of institutes. These observations might assist policy decision makers to develop research in this country and other developing countries.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Hammad; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

【 参考文献 】

• [1]Neves K, Lammers WJ: Growth in biomedical publications and scientific institutions in the Emirates (1998–2004): an Arabian renaissance? Health Info Libr J 2007, 24:41-49.
• [2]Hefny AF, Grivna M, Abbas AK, Branicki FJ, Abu-Zidan FM: Pediatric trauma research in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Asian J Surg 2012, 35:74-80.
• [3]PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed webcite. Published
• [4]ISI Web of Knowledge http://admin.isiknowledge.com webcite. Published
• [5]Eid HO, Lunsjo K, Torab FC, Abu-Zidan FM: Trauma research in the United Arab Emirates: reality and vision. Singapore Med J 2008, 49:827-830.
• [6]Lammers WJ, Tahir A: Profile of medical research publications from the GCC countries, 1990–1994. Ann Saudi Med 1996, 16:666-669.
• [7]Parry ES, Lister IS: Sunlight and hypercalciuria. Lancet 1975, 1:1063-1065.
• [8]Brikowski TH, Lotan Y, Pearle MS: Climate-related increase in the prevalence of urolithiasis in the United States. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2008, 105:9841-9846.
• [9]Bener A, Hussain SJ, Al-Malki M, Shotar MM, Al-Said MF, Jadaan KS: Road traffic fatalities in Qatar, Jordan and the UAE: estimates using regression analysis and the relationship with economic growth. East Mediterr Health J 2010, 16:318-323.
• [10]Hammad F, Eid H, Jawas A, Abu-Zidan F: Genitourinary injuries following road traffic collisions: a population-based study from the Middle East. Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg 2010, 16:449-452.
• [11]Hammad FT, Eid HO, Hefny AF, Abu-Zidan FM: Profiling genitourinary injuries in United Arab Emirates. J Emerg Trauma Shock 2011, 4:342-345.
• [12]Abu-Zidan F: Quantity and quality of research from the Gulf Corporation Council countries. Saudi Med J 2001, 22:1040-1041.
• [13]Al-Aboud FM, Al-Aboud KM, Al-Hawsawi KA, Ramesh V: Dermatological publications in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. An analysis of 1966-2004 Medline papers. Saudi Med J 2004, 25:1652-1655.
• [14]Al-Maawali A, Al Busadi A, Al-Adawi S: Biomedical publications profile and trends in gulf cooperation council countries. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J 2012, 12:41-47.
• [15]Osman OT, Afifi M: Troubled minds in the Gulf: mental health research in the United Arab Emirates (1989–2008). Asia Pac J Public Health 2010, 22:48S-53S.