Bibliometric analysis of global migration health research in peer-reviewed literature (2000-2016)

Migration and Women's Health Research (2000-2023): A bibliometric analysis of trends and gaps

This bibliometric study examines the scholarly landscape of migration and women's health, analyzing 1314 Scopus-indexed articles from 462 journals published between 2000 and 2023. Findings indicate a consistent increase in research output, reflecting growing global interest in this interdisciplinary field. Geographically, high-income countries (HICs), including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, dominate contributions, while low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain underrepresented despite hosting significant migrant populations. International collaborations play a crucial role, with key institutions such as the University of California and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine shaping research efforts. The keyword co-occurrence analysis highlights migration, gender dynamics, mental health, and reproductive health as dominant themes. Persistent gaps in mental and reproductive healthcare access for migrant women emphasize the need for trauma-informed care (TIC), mobile bilingual healthcare services, and inclusive health policies. Disparities in research funding further exacerbate global health inequities, underscoring the necessity of equitable redistribution of resources, including redirecting at least 10 % of HIC research grants to LMIC-led studies. The COVID-19 pandemic magnified pre-existing vulnerabilities, stressing the importance of multilateral collaborations and sustainable policy interventions to enhance migrant healthcare access. This study provides valuable insights into research trends, collaboration networks, and thematic focus areas, offering a foundation for future interdisciplinary research and evidence-based policymaking aimed at promoting health equity for migrant women globally.

Im/migration, structured vulnerability, and the future of work: Towards a more inclusive approach to occupational health

BackgroundOccupational safety and health (OSH) faces complex challenges related to im/migration, social vulnerability and economic precarity that accompany the fundamental reorganization of work during the Fourth Industrial RevolutionObjectiveTo identify limitations of current approaches and facilitate the reintegration of a biosocial approach to OSH through the adoption of more holistic models of im/migration, work, and health.MethodsThrough the lens of Mexican labor im/migration to the United States, this paper explores a series of examples that highlight some of the conceptual limitations guiding research at the nexus of migration, work, and health.ResultsThe reductionist approach to cause and effect of the biomedical model limits the ability of OSH to address the challenges related to the radical restructuring of the world of work. The externalization of the costs of maintaining and reproducing the workforce is guiding the restructuring of the world of work resulting in the growing vulnerability and insecurity that many workers face today. The legacy of colonialism continues to influence occupational health research and hinder efforts at reducing occupational health inequities.ConclusionsReintegration of a biosocial approach is essential to addressing the complex challenges related to current radical reorganization of the world of work.

Internal migration and depressive symptoms: exploring selection and outcomes in a South African cohort

Introduction

Investigations of migration effects on mental health conditions, including depression are sparse in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), yet mental health may play a role in a decision to migrate, and migration in turn can impact on mental health outcomes.

Methods

This paper uses two waves of data from the Migrant Health Follow-Up Study, a young adult cohort of 3092 internal migrants and residents of the Agincourt study site in rural northeast South Africa to explore the relationship between internal migration and depressive symptoms, as measured on the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. We employ logistic regression analysis to investigate selectivity of migrants are in relation to depressive symptoms, and we fit generalised linear -models to analyse depressive symptoms (CES-D scores) as a function of migration status and sociodemographic and health characteristics, accounting for temporal sequence.

Results

Although we observe systematically low reporting of depressive symptoms, average CES-D scores are lower among migrants (comprising approximately 53% of the cohort) compared to Agincourt residents at both survey timepoints. We do not find evidence of a selection effect in relation to mental health among those newly migrating between Wave 2 and 3 (n=1393). In analyses of the CES-D score outcome, the significant influence of migration status on depressive symptoms is reduced with the inclusion of controls in the models. Consistent employment and higher levels of education are associated with lower CES-D scores, while diagnosis of a chronic condition is associated with higher scores.

Conclusion

The relationship between migration and depressive symptoms is influenced by factors preceding a migration and destination-place characteristics and experiences. Further examination of the role of migration at different stages of the process, along with continuing attention to psychosocial measurement considerations for LMIC subpopulations, can improve our understanding of these complex interrelationships and contribute to evidence.

Improving Child and Adolescent Mental Health: A Bibliometric Analysis of Related Intervention Studies

In response to the increase in adolescent mental health problems, related intervention research has flourished. This study examined 2258 mental health intervention studies captured by the Web of Science, focusing on their distribution, interdisciplinary collaboration, and emerging trends, using bibliometric analysis. Our findings revealed a rise in studies and enhanced collaboration across disciplines, with studies from the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom showing high academic output, intellectual impact, and strong scientific partnerships. However, there is a noticeable Western-centrism in the research. Identifying current trends and key areas of focus offers valuable insights for future practices in child and adolescent mental health.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Uveitis in the Past 20 Years

PURPOSE

To assess the quantity and quality of global research on uveitis, visualize the research hotspots, and reveal the study trends in uveitis.

METHODS

This bibliometric analysis was performed with the data obtained from the Web of Science core collection (WoSCC) database and Scopus. Bibliometrix and VOSviewer were used to analyze and visualize study trends and hotspots. Citespace was used to conduct the cooperation and co-citation network analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 5837 and 7195 documents were exported for further analysis in WoSCC and Scopus, respectively. The USA has published the most articles related to uveitis (1627, 27.87%, WoS; 1979, 27.51%, Scopus) and accounted for the most frequency of total citations (42345 times total citations 35 900 times without self-citations in WoSCC database). Most of the papers focusing on uveitis were published in Ocular Immunology and Inflammation (761, 13.04% within WoS; 793, 11.02% within Scopus). Additionally, novel biotherapy is the hotspot of uveitis research which also may be a sustained research interest in the future.

CONCLUSIONS

An increasing trend of publications was found in uveitis research. The USA was the leading contributor in this field, and it was the center of cooperation network. Our study provided an overview of uveitis research, which may serve as a valuable reference and guide for stakeholders interested in uveitis.

Analysis and mapping of global research publications on point-of-care testing for infectious diseases

RATIONALE

This study presents the first comprehensive analysis and mapping of scientific research on point-of-care testing (POCT) in infectious diseases, filling a gap in understanding the evolving landscape of this field. The identification of research themes and global contributions offers valuable insights.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This manuscript aims to analyse and map scientific research on POCT in the context of infectious diseases.

METHODS

The study employed a comprehensive search strategy using terms related to POCT and infectious diseases. The search was conducted on the Scopus database, refining results based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The dataset of 1719 research articles was then subjected to descriptive analysis and mapping using VOSviewer.

RESULTS

The research findings indicate an exponential growth in POCT-related publications, with 46.8% published post the COVID-19 pandemic. Plos One journal led in publication frequency, and Biosensors and Bioelectronics received the highest citations per article. North America and Western Europe dominated contributions, with notable participation from China, South Africa, and India. The research landscape revealed the following research themes: detection technologies, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis, antibiotic optimisation, and schistosomiasis. Clinical trials focused on antibiotic prescribing, HIV, STIs, and specific infections. The findings suggest a shifting landscape towards POCT, emphasising the need for future planning and investment in healthcare systems. The research identifies areas for future exploration, such as the impact of POCT on antibiotic prescribing and its role in combating infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries.

CONCLUSION

Implementation of POCT has the potential to revolutionise infectious disease management, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the global burden of diseases. Better public awareness, healthcare team management, and planning for POCT at entry points are crucial for societal benefit. Results demonstrated the evolving role of POCT in infectious disease management and prevention.

Emerging global interest: Unraveling the link between diabetes mellitus and depression

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown a strong bidirectional association between diabetes and depression, with diabetes increasing the risk of developing depression and vice versa. Depression among patients with diabetes is associated with poor glycemic control, complications, and poor self-care.

AIM

To explore the present state of research globally concerning diabetes and depression, to aid understanding the current research landscape and identify potential future areas of research.

METHODS

A bibliometric approach was used, utilizing the Scopus database to gather pertinent research articles released from 2004 to 2023. Analyses encompassed publication patterns, significant contributors, research focal points, prevalent themes, and the most influential articles, aimed at discerning emerging research subjects.

RESULTS

A total of 3229 publications that met the search criteria were identified. A significant increase in the number of publications related to diabetes and depression has been observed in the past two decades. The most productive nation was the USA (n = 1015; 31.43%), followed by China (n = 325; 10.07%), the UK (n = 236; 7.31%), and Germany (n = 218; 6.75%). Three principal themes in research on depression and diabetes were delineated by the analysis. First, the exploration of the elevated prevalence and etiology of this comorbidity; second, the focus on interventions, particularly randomized controlled trials, aimed at enhancing diabetes management among individuals with depression; and finally, the investigation of the involved risk factors and biological mechanisms underlying this bidirectional relationship.

CONCLUSION

There has been a recent surge of interest in the relationship between diabetes and depression. This could aid researchers to identify areas lacking in the literature and shape future research.

Analysis and mapping of harm reduction research in the context of injectable drug use: identifying research hotspots, gaps and future directions

BACKGROUND

Harm reduction is a crucial approach in addressing the multifaceted challenges of injectable drug use. This paper presents an analysis and mapping of the existing literature on harm reduction research in the context of injectable drug use. By reviewing a comprehensive set of scholarly articles, this study identifies research hotspots, knowledge gaps, and future directions in the field. The findings provide valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to guide future research efforts and inform evidence-based harm reduction interventions.

METHODS

Data for the study was obtained from the Scopus database, using keywords and phrases related to harm reduction and injectable drug use. Validation methods were employed to verify the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the search strategy. Data analysis involved identifying growth patterns, key contributors, mapping frequent terms, identifying research hotspots, and identifying emerging research directions.

RESULTS

A total of 971 articles were found, with a notable increase from 2015 to 2022. The International Journal of Drug Policy (n = 172, 17.7%) and the Harm Reduction Journal (n = 104, 10.7%) were the most prolific journals, and the United States (n = 558, 57.5%) had the highest number of publications. The Johns Hopkins University (n = 80, 8.5%) was the most prolific institution. Mapping of frequent author keywords revealed the main keywords, including harm reduction, HIV, hepatitis C, and opioid overdose. The highly cited articles cover a broad time span and focus on topics like naloxone distribution, HIV and hepatitis C transmission, while recent articles concentrate on emerging issues such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, fentanyl-related concerns, stigma reduction, and needle and syringe programs. Both sets of articles share a common focus on harm reduction strategies, but recent publications highlight current challenges and developments in the field.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides insights into research landscape on harm reduction in injectable drug use. Research is concentrated in high-income countries, emphasizing the need for more research in low- and middle-income countries. Recent publications focus on emerging challenges like COVID-19 and fentanyl. Research gaps highlight the need for studies in diverse populations, social determinants, program evaluation, and implementation strategies to enhance harm reduction interventions.

Expert consensus on a protocol for conducting bibliometric analysis of scientific articles on global migration health (GMH)

BACKGROUND

Migration and health are key priorities in global health and essential for protecting and promoting the health of migrants. To better understand the existing evidence on migration health, it is critical to map the research publication activity and evidence on the health of migrants and mobile populations. This paper presents a search strategy protocol for a bibliometric analysis of scientific articles on global migration health (GMH), leveraging the expertise of a global network of researchers and academics. The protocol aims to facilitate the mapping of research and evidence on the health of international migrants and their families, including studies on human mobility across international borders.

METHODS

A systematic search strategy using Scopus will be developed to map scientific articles on GMH. The search strategy will build upon a previous bibliometric study and will have two main search components: (1) 'international migrant population', covering specific movements across international borders, and (2) 'health'. The final search strategy will be implemented to determine the final set of articles to be screened for the bibliometric analysis. Title and abstract screening will exclude irrelevant articles and classify the relevant articles according to predefined themes and subthemes. A combination of the following approaches will be used in screening: applying full automation (ie, DistillerSR's machine learning tool) and/or semiautomation (ie, EndNote, MS Excel) tools, and manual screening. The relevant articles will be analysed using MS Excel, Biblioshiny and VOSviewer, which creates a visual mapping of the research publication activity around GMH. This protocol is developed in collaboration with academic researchers and policymakers from the Global South, and a network of migration health and research experts, with guidance from a bibliometrics expert.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The protocol will use publicly available data and will not directly involve human participants; an ethics review will not be required. The findings from the bibliometric analysis (and other research that can potentially arise from the protocol) will be disseminated through academic publications, conferences and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to inform policies and interventions aimed at improving the health of international migrants and their families.

Migration health ethics in Southeast Asia: a scoping review

Background

Asia hosts the second-largest international migrant population in the world. In Southeast Asia (SEA), key types of migration are labour migration, forced migration, and environmental migration. This scoping review seeks to identify key themes and gaps in current research on the ethics of healthcare for mobile and marginalised populations in SEA, and the ethics of research involving these populations.

Methods

We performed a scoping review using three broad concepts: population (stateless population, migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced people), issues (healthcare and ethics), and context (11 countries in SEA). Three databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science) were searched from 2000 until May 2023 over a period of four months (February 2023 to May 2023). Other relevant publications were identified through citation searches, and six bioethics journals were hand searched. All searches were conducted in English, and relevant publications were screened against the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were subsequently imported into NVivo 14, and thematic analysis was conducted.

Results

We identified 18 papers with substantial bioethical analysis. Ethical concepts that guide the analysis were 'capability, agency, dignity', 'vulnerability', 'precarity, complicity, and structural violence' (n=7). Ethical issues were discussed from the perspective of research ethics (n=9), clinical ethics (n=1) and public health ethics (n=1). All publications are from researchers based in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. Research gaps identified include the need for more research involving migrant children, research from migrant-sending countries, studies on quality of migrant healthcare, participatory health research, and research with internal migrants.

Conclusions

More empirical research is necessary to better understand the ethical issues that exist in the domains of research, clinical care, and public health. Critical examination of the interplay between migration, health and ethics with consideration of the diverse factors and contexts involved is crucial for the advancement of migration health ethics in SEA.

Analysis and mapping the research landscape on patient-centred care in the context of chronic disease management

RATIONALE

Patient-centred care has emerged as a transformative approach in managing chronic diseases, aiming to actively involve patients in their healthcare decisions.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to analyse and map the research landscape on patient-centred care in the context of chronic disease management.

METHODS

This study used Scopus to retrieve the relevant articles. The analysis focused on the growth pattern, highly cited articles, randomised clinical trials, patients and providers perspectives, facilitators and barriers, frequent author keywords, emerging topics, and prolific countries and journals in the field.

RESULTS

In total, 926 research articles met the inclusion criteria. There was a notable increase in the number of publications over time. Cancer had the highest number of articles (n = 379, 40.9%), followed by diabetes mellitus, and mental health and psychiatric conditions. Studies on patient-centred care in diabetic patients received the highest number of citations. The results identified 52 randomised controlled trials that covered four major themes: patient-centred care for diabetes management, shared decision-making in mental health and primary care, shared decision-making in cancer care, and economic evaluation and cost-effectiveness. The study identified 51 studies that examined the impact of tools such as computer-based systems, decision aids, smartphone apps, and online tools to improve patient-centred outcomes. A map of author keywords showed that renal dialysis, HIV, and atrial fibrillation were the most recent topics in the field. Researchers from the United States contributed to more than half of the retrieved publications. The top active journals included "Patient Education and Counselling" and "Health Expectations".

CONCLUSION

This study provides valuable insights into the research landscape of patient-centred care within the context of chronic diseases. The current study provided a comprehensive overview of the research landscape on patient-centred care, which can empower patients by raising their awareness about clinical experiences and outcomes.

Normalising participatory health research approaches in the WHO European region for refugee and migrant health: a paradigm shift

While people's involvement in health research is increasingly the encouraged norm in many countries, the involvement of refugees and migrants in research about their health is rare. Here, we call for a paradigm shift in the field of refugee and migrant health to make participatory health research routine, i.e. normalised. To disrupt 'business as usual', we synthesise evidence about meaningful research partnerships and features of inclusive participatory spaces. We present examples of decolonial, culturally attuned methods that can be used to reimagine and reinvigorate research practice because they encourage critical reflexivity and power-sharing: arts-based research using music and singing, participatory learning and action research, Photovoice and co-design (ideas generation) workshops. We consider the consequences of not making this paradigm shift. We conclude with recommendations for specific structural and policy changes and empirical research questions that are needed to inform the normalisation of participatory health research in this field.

Global Research Output of Lutetium-177 PSMA in Prostate Cancer: Bibliometric and Altmetric Analyses

AIM

The integration of innovative radio-pharmaceutical agents targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) within nuclear medicine has transformed prostate cancer detection and management. This study aims to investigate the present landscape of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA in prostate cancer, elucidating trends, global contributions, scholarly outlets, institutions, and thematic concentrations with an aim to inform forthcoming research endeavors.

METHODS

We systematically probed the Scopus repository for relevant [177Lu]Lu-PSMA literature. An assessment of bibliometric and altmetric data was carried out. Finally, we assessed the correlation between the altmetric attention scores and the number of citations for the retrieved data.

RESULTS

Spanning January 2015 to July 2023, the study encompassed 466 articles concerning [177Lu]Lu-PSMA therapy for prostate cancer. Predominant citation accolades gravitated towards metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer investigations and assessments of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA therapy's safety and efficacy. Further research encompassed adverse effects linked to [177Lu]Lu-PSMA intervention, including xerostomia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and fatigue. Germany emerged as the primary academic contributor, with The Journal of Nuclear Medicine dominating publications (n = 55). A moderate significant correlation was detected between the number of citations and altmetric attention scores .

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight the growing interest and advancements in the utilization of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA therapy in prostate cancer and offer a comprehensive global perspective on future research directions.

A scoping review of academic and grey literature on migrant health research conducted in Scotland

BACKGROUND

Migration to Scotland has increased since 2002 with an increase in European residents and participation in the Asylum dispersal scheme. Scotland has become more ethnically diverse, and 10% of the current population were born abroad. Migration and ethnicity are determinants of health, and information on the health status of migrants to Scotland and their access to and barriers to care facilitates the planning and delivery of equitable health services. This study aimed to scope existing peer-reviewed research and grey literature to identify gaps in evidence regarding the health of migrants in Scotland.

METHODS

A scoping review on the health of migrants in Scotland was carried out for dates January 2002 to March 2023, inclusive of peer-reviewed journals and grey literature. CINAHL/ Web of Science/SocIndex and Medline databases were systematically searched along with government and third-sector websites. The searches identified 2166 journal articles and 170 grey literature documents for screening. Included articles were categorised according to the World Health Organisation's 2016 Strategy and Action Plan for Refugee and Migrant Health in the European region. This approach builds on a previously published literature review on Migrant Health in the Republic of Ireland.

RESULTS

Seventy-one peer reviewed journal articles and 29 grey literature documents were included in the review. 66% were carried out from 2013 onwards and the majority focused on asylum seekers or unspecified migrant groups. Most research identified was on the World Health Organisation's strategic areas of right to health of refugees, social determinants of health and public health planning and strengthening health systems. There were fewer studies on the strategic areas of frameworks for collaborative action, preventing communicable disease, preventing non-communicable disease, health screening and assessment and improving health information and communication.

CONCLUSION

While research on migrant health in Scotland has increased in recent years significant gaps remain. Future priorities should include studies of undocumented migrants, migrant workers, and additional research is required on the issue of improving health information and communication.

Global characteristics and trends of researches on watermelon: Based on bibliometric and visualized analysis

Watermelon is an important horticultural plant. A bibliometric analysis of the watermelon literature was carried out in order to analyze the research state, hotspots, and trends, as well as to highlight the overall watermelon research development from a holistic viewpoint. The summary of watermelon research is given via metrological analysis based on a set of indices using a newly built Bibliometrix R-package tool. This study gathered 6,632 documents indexed in the Core Collection of Web of Science (WoS) in the domain of watermelon from 1992 to 2022 using bibliometrix. The results indicated that the number of published articles showed an apparently upward trend. The United States was in the first place, with Plant Disease being the most productive journal. Levi A from the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service is the most prolific author, and Levi A is the most cited; The most frequently used keywords by authors are "growth", "resistance", "identification", "yield", "quality" "plants", "watermelon stomach" and "expression"; The most talked-about issues in this subject are resistance, yield, and quality, which highlight the crucial research areas. To effectively comprehend the turning moments for future research, it is useful to monitor the hotspots and frontiers of watermelon studies. The results highlight the future paths for study in the field of watermelon and provide useful information for researchers interested in the topic.

Benthic foraminifera as bioindicators of marine pollution: A bibliometric approach to unravel trends, patterns and perspectives

Benthic foraminifera, single-celled marine organisms, are known for their wide distribution, high abundance and species diversity, test (i.e., shell) preservation in the sedimentary (e.g., historical) record, and sensitivity to environmental changes. Because of these characteristics, they have been widely used as bioindicators in environmental monitoring and, more recently, as Biological Quality Elements (BQEs) in the Ecological Quality Status (EcoQS) evaluation. The global scientific literature on benthic foraminifera as bioindicators was gathered from the Scopus database (overall 966 papers from 1973 to 2022) and explored with scientometric software. The outcomes highlight that the investigation of benthic foraminiferal response to pollutants started over 50 years ago. Indeed, not only the number of published documents has recently peaked (i.e., 2021 and 2022) but there has been also a growth in the percentages of papers falling within the Decision Sciences category that deals with the application of foraminiferal indices for the EcoQS assessment.

Bibliometric analysis of the Spanish scientific production in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology (2014-2021)

INTRODUCTION

The profound impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, together with other factors such as globalisation and climate change, has emphasised the growing relevance of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology.

METHODS

The Spanish scientific production in both categories of the Web of Science databases over the period 2014-2021 has been analysed.

RESULTS

8037 documents have been identified in Infectious Diseases and 12008 documents in Microbiology (6th most productive country worldwide in both cases, with growth rates of 41% and 46.2%, respectively). Both areas present a high degree of international collaboration (45-48% of the documents) and between 45-66% of the documents have been published in journals of excellence (first quartile) according to the rankings of the Journal Citation Reports.

CONCLUSIONS

Spain is in a prominent position worldwide in both areas, with an outstanding scientific production in journals of high visibility and impact.

Bibliometric analysis of global research on psychological well-being, subjective burden, and psychosocial support of family caregivers of cancer patients

This study delves into the realm of informal cancer caregivers. Through a meticulous bibliometric analysis, the study sheds light on the burgeoning interest in this field, with a significant focus on the psychological well-being, subjective burden, and psychosocial support for caregivers. A significant portion of the retrieved articles (n = 1366) was published after 2017 and primarily disseminated through a select number of journals. Notably, the study reveals a substantial gap in randomized controlled trials addressing interventions tailored to family caregivers, indicating a critical need for more high-quality trials to guide effective support strategies. Despite the increasing recognition of caregivers' significance, limited research collaboration was observed, emphasizing the importance of fostering collaborative efforts to address cultural differences and expand the scope of research on cancer caregivers globally. The findings underscore the urgent call for comprehensive interventions and collaborative endeavors to optimize the well-being of family caregivers.

A scoping review of the use of music as an arts-based method in migrant health research

Background

There is a growing awareness of the need to include people's lived experiences in health decision-making. While much progress has been made in this field, exclusionary patterns persist regarding migrant participation in health research. The aim of this scoping review was to examine the available literature around the use of music as an arts-based research (ABR) method in migrant health research in order to extend knowledge of creative methods and tools used for migrant participation in health research.

Methods

Our review follows a scoping review methodology. Searches were conducted in 11 electronic databases between June and August, 2020. We identified 14 eligible references published between January 2009 and August 2020. We analysed how music is utilised as an arts-based research method in community-based health and wellbeing contexts primarily with refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, and members of resettled immigrant communities.

Results

The findings show that music's role is most prominent as a tool for recruitment and engagement followed by its use as a tool for dissemination. Music is effective as a means to co-produce and communicate knowledge of lived experiences of migration and related wellbeing issues.

Recommendations and conclusions

Our recommendations for further research include the need for increased detail on the musical element in ABR projects; Explicit identification of such research as ABR; Greater recognition of a multi-arts understanding of music in the context of ABR; Harnessing the potential of music in ABR across the research cycle. We conclude that arts-based research using music shows promise for capturing the complexity of migrants' lives and health issues in an ethical way. It warrants further investigation in empirical studies in multiple clinical and community settings to understand its processes and impacts on the evidence base for migrant health.

Migrant workers' health-related research in Nepal: A bibliometric study

Background

In recent years, the health of migrants has become an important global public health issue. However, less is known about the current status of research activity among Nepalese migrants' health. This study aimed to assess the current status of research activity by analysing published peer review literature on Nepalese migrants' health.

Methods

A systematic search of published literature on Nepalese migrant workers' health was conducted in Scopus, Medline, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO and Web of Science, and a bibliometric analysis methodology was used. The search of databases retrieved 520 records, and a total of 161 papers were included in the analysis. Bibliometric analyses were performed in R and VoSViewer to create visualisation maps.

Results

The retrieved documents were published in the last three decades, and a total of 533 researchers originating from 24 countries contributed to the literature. A large proportion of papers (n=22) were published in a single year, in 2019, and the number of authors per journal ranged from one to 14. The topmost preferred journals for publications in Nepalese migrants' health were PLoS One (n=9), followed by the Journal of Immigration and Minority Health (n=6). The retrieved articles received 2425 citations, with an average of 15.1 citations per article. The study identified nine overlapping research domains (thematic areas) - infectious disease, non-communicable diseases, health and lifestyle, sexual and reproductive health, access to health services, workplace safety, maternal health, gender-based violence, and health system and policy.

Conclusion

The present bibliometric study fills an analytical gap in the field of migrat's health research in Nepal and provides evidence and insights to advocate the formulation of strategies to promote the migrants' health vulnerabilities often associated with individual-related hazards such as working in 'difficult, dirty, and dangerous (3Ds) working conditions.

Bridging the gap: Using CHNRI to align migration health research priorities in India with local expertise and global perspectives

Background

Migration and health are increasingly recognised as a global public health priority, but concerns have been raised on the skewed nature of current research and the potential disconnect between health needs and policy and governance responses. The Migration Health South Asia (MiHSA) network led the first systematic research priority-setting exercise for India, aligned with the global call to develop a clearly defined migration health research agenda that will inform research investments and guide migrant-responsive policies by the year 2030.

Methods

We adapted the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) method for this priority setting exercise for migration health. Guided by advisory groups established at international and country levels, we sought research topics from 51 experts from diverse disciplines and sectors across India. We consolidated 223 responses into 59 research topics across five themes and scored them against five predefined criteria: answerability, effectiveness, feasibility, impact, and effect on equity. We then calculated research priority scores (RPS) and average expert agreement (AEA) each research topic and theme.

Results

A third of the 59 research topics were on migrants' health and health care access, 12 on social determinants of migrants' health, 10 on policies, law and migration health governance, eight on health systems' responsiveness, and five on migration health discourse. Three of the top five priority topics pertained to migrants' health care access. The policies, law, and governance theme had the highest overall RPS score.

Conclusions

There is a noticeable gap between research priorities identified by experts at the country-level and the current research focus and priorities set globally. This disconnect between the global and local perspectives in migration health scholarship hinders the development of context-specific and suitable policy agendas for improving migrants' health. Our co-developed agenda emphasises the need to prioritise research on the capacity of existing systems and policies so as to make them more migration-aware and responsive to migrants' health needs.

Gut microbiota and autism spectrum disorders: where do we stand?

BACKGROUND

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have digestive problems and microbial imbalances in their guts, suggesting that these conditions may play a role in the development of the disorder. Scopus-based research on the gut microbiota and ASD was examined in this bibliometric analysis to shed light on the current state of research and identify potential hotspots for future work in this area.

METHODS

We searched documents from the Scopus database and reference citation analysis to collect published data on the gut microbiota and ASD from 2003 to 2022. The downloaded document records were exported to VOSviewer v.1.6.19 to examine and visualize the collaboration between countries and determine the research hotspots.

RESULTS

The search yielded 958 articles specifically dedicated to gut microbiota and ASD. The number of publications in this field increased rapidly after 2013, with a peak in 2022. The United States (n = 267; 27.87%) was the most active country, followed by China (n = 171; 17.85%) and Italy (n = 96; 10.02). International collaboration was observed, with the USA playing a central role. University College Cork, Ireland, was the most productive institution (n = 24; 2.51%). The National Natural Science Foundation of China was the most active funding agency (n = 76; 7.93%). Nutrients journal had the highest number of publications (n = 28; 2.92%). The articles related to gut microbiota and ASD were highly cited, with an h-index of 108. The research themes identified focused on the modulation of gut microbiota as a potential therapy for children with ASD and gut-brain axis dysfunction in ASD.

CONCLUSIONS

In recent years, the study of gut microbiota and its association with ASD has garnered considerable interest as an emergent field of study. The results of this study substantially enhance our current understanding of the knowledge landscape in this field and illuminate potential avenues for future research. It is essential to emphasize the significance of devoting more resources to the newest and most promising research areas, such as investigating the potential therapeutic benefits of modulating the intestinal microbiota in children with ASD. This research has enormous potential and merits intensified focus and investigation.

Analysis and Mapping of Scientific Literature on Detention and Deportation of International Migrants (1990-2022)

Millions of people cross political borders yearly without having the proper documents. This has led to increased detention and deportation practices in destination countries for reasons related to security and sovereignty. The objective of the current study was to analyze and visualize research publications on the detention and deportation of migrants to identify current research hotspots, research gaps, and potential future research in the field. Relevant research articles were obtained from the Scopus database for the study period from 1900 to December 31, 2022. The analysis included presentations of key contributors to the field and visualization of topics, themes, and international collaboration. In total, 906 articles were found. The earliest was in 1982. The majority of articles were published in journals within the subject areas of social sciences and humanities. The number of publications showed a steep rise from 2011 to 2022. The Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies was the most prolific, but publications in the Citizenship Studies journal received the highest number of citations per article. Researchers from the United States contributed the most. Mexico ranked fifth in the number of publications. Oxford University was the most prolific institution, followed by three universities in Australia. The majority of articles were single-authored, indicative of limited author-author collaboration. Research hotspots in the field were "human rights" and "mental health". The detention and deportation of Mexican and other Latino migrants in the United States constituted a distinct research theme in the field. International research collaboration was limited by geographical proximity (e.g., the United States and Mexico) or common language (e.g., the United Kingdom and Australia). Future research topics should focus on alternatives to detention, family separation, and healthcare services for detained migrants. Research activity on detention and deportation is required from all world regions, including the source countries of migrants. Future research should promote alternatives to traditional detentions. The contribution of countries in Africa, the Middle East, and South-Eastern Asian regions needs to be encouraged. Future research on the detention and deportation of non-Latino migrants is highly required.

Mapping the global research landscape on malnutrition for patients with chronic kidney disease: a visualization analysis

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is seen as a diverse disease and a primary contributor to global mortality. Malnutrition arises within chronic illness, which involves protein energy depletion and inadequate levels of essential nutrients. These factors increase the likelihood of death and the overall impact of the disease on affected individuals. Consequently, this study aims to utilize bibliometric and visual analysis to assess the current state of research, the latest advances and emerging patterns in the fields of CKD and malnutrition.

METHODS

Extensive research was conducted using the Scopus database, which is the most authoritative database of research publications and citations, to focus on CKD research between 2003 and 2022, as indicated by title and author keywords. Then, within this vast collection of academic publications, a notable subset of articles was exclusively dedicated to investigating the relationship between CKD and malnutrition. Finally, we performed bibliometric analysis and visualization using VOSviewer 1.6.19 and Microsoft Excel 2013.

RESULTS

Large global research between 2003 and 2022 resulted in 50,588 documents focused on CKD, as indicated by title and author keywords. In this extensive collection of scientific publications, a staggering portion of 823 articles is devoted exclusively to investigating the link between CKD and malnutrition. Further analysis reveals that this body of work consists of 565 articles (68.65%), 221 reviews (26.85%), and 37 miscellaneous entries (4.50%), which encompass letters and editorials. The USA was found to be the most productive country (n = 173; 21.02%), followed by Italy (n = 83; 10.09%), Sweden (n = 56; 6.80%), Brazil (n = 54; 6.56%) and China (n = 51; 6.20%). The most common terms on the map include those related to the topic of (a) malnutrition in hemodialysis patients and predicting factors; terms associated with the (b) impact of malnutrition on cardiovascular risk and complications in CKD patients; and terms related to the (c) dietary protein intake and malnutrition in CKD.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first of its kind to analyze CKD and malnutrition research using data from Scopus for visualization and network mapping. Recent trends indicate an increasing focus on protein-energy wasting/malnutrition in hemodialysis patients and predicting factors, dietary protein intake, and malnutrition in CKD. These topics have gained significant attention and reflect the latest scientific advances. Intervention studies are crucial to examining diet therapy's impact on patients with stages 1 to 5 CKD. We hope this study will offer researchers, dietitians and nephrologists valuable information.

Mapping the knowledge structure of a gluten-free diet: a global perspective

Background

A gluten-free diet (GFD) has become one of the most popular eating plans and is essential for managing gluten-related medical conditions, signs, and symptoms. Therefore, we performed a bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature on the GFD to describe the research landscape.

Methods

The Scopus database was searched for publications on the GFD from 1952 to 2021. A bibliometric analysis of the data was performed. VOSviewer software was used to perform visualization analysis, co-occurrence analysis, and publication trends in GFD.

Results

A total of 3,258 publications were retrieved. In terms of publications, Italy (n = 468, 14.36%) led in the number of publications, followed by the USA (n = 398, 12.22%) and Spain (n = 274, 8.41%). The retrieved documents earned an average of 22.89 citations per document, for a total of 74,560 citations. Since 2001, there has been a gradual growth in the number of articles published, going from 23 to more than 370 in 2021. Using the mapping terms in the title/abstract a minimum of 50 times, 291 terms were divided into two main clusters: ‘adherence to a gluten-free diet in celiac disease’ and ‘improvement of the nutritional and sensory quality of gluten-free products.’

Conclusions

Over the past six decades, there has been a growing need for gluten-free bakery products and a noticeable increase in related publications. This study indicates that the “improvement of the nutritional and sensory quality of gluten-free products” will remain a hotspot in this research field for upcoming years.

Barriers and facilitators associated with the use of mental health services among immigrant students in high-income countries: A systematic scoping review

BACKGROUND

Immigrant students face various challenges in high-income countries that can contribute to the decline of their mental well-being upon arrival in their host country. Despite the growing population of these students in several high-income countries, there is inadequate attention given to their mental health needs and their access to mental health services. Thus, this systematic scoping review aimed to identify gaps in existing research relating to the barriers and facilitators associated with access to and use of mental health services in high-income countries.

METHODS

Following the PRISMA-ScR checklist as guidance we systematically searched Ovid Medline, APA PsycInfo, Education Source, CINAHL, Web of Science databases for peer reviewed articles related to barriers and facilitators of mental health service use among immigrant students. We conducted a narrative evidence synthesis to highlight barriers and facilitators to the use of mental health services.

RESULTS

Out of the 2407 articles initially found, 47 studies met the inclusion criteria and were considered for this review. The increasing attention towards the mental health concerns of immigrant students and their access to mental health services is evident. However, various barriers like stigma, insufficient knowledge, or adherence to traditional gender roles (such as masculinity) hinder their utilization of these services. On the other hand, factors such as being a woman, having a strong sense of cultural adaptation, or possessing adequate mental health literacy serve as facilitators for accessing mental health services.

CONCLUSION

These students have unique experiences, and their needs are often unmet. To improve their mental health and use of mental health services, it is important to consider the barriers they face and their unique experience in their specific life context and to develop tailored prevention and intervention programs.

The state of current research on COVID-19 and antibiotic use: global implications for antimicrobial resistance

BACKGROUND

During the initial stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the administration of antibiotics to patients was prevalent in numerous countries. Despite this, the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a significant public health concern. The escalation of AMR has been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Against this backdrop, the primary aim of this study was to conduct a bibliometric and visual analysis of research pertaining to the use of antibiotics in COVID-19.

METHODS

This study examined documents indexed in Scopus between 2020 and 2022. To visualize the trends and hotspots of research related to antibiotics and COVID-19, as well as collaborative networks, the researcher utilized version 1.6.18 of the VOSviewer software. Scopus data were analysed to extract information on the types of publications, annual research output, countries, institutions, funding agencies, journals, citations, and highly cited references. Microsoft Excel 2019 was used to process and organize the extracted data.

RESULTS

This study analysed 1137 documents related to COVID-19 and antibiotics and found that the number of publications increased from 130 in 2020 to 527 in 2022. These publications included 777 (68.34%) articles and 205 (18.03%) reviews. The top five countries in terms of scientific production were the United States (n = 231; 20.32%), the United Kingdom (n = 156; 13.72%), China (n = 101; 8.88%), India (n = 100; 8.8%), and Italy (n = 63; 5.54%), and the leading institutions were Imperial College London (n = 21; 1.85%), University of Oxford (n = 20; 1.76%), and University College London (n = 15; 1.32%). The National Natural Science Foundation of China provided funding for the highest number of articles (n = 48; 4.22%), followed by the National Institutes of Health (n = 32; 2.81%). The most productive journals were Antibiotics (n = 90; 7.92%), Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (n = 30; 2.64%), and Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology (n = 26; 2.29%). Finally, the research hotspots identified in this study were 'antimicrobial stewardship during the COVID-19 outbreak' and 'implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.'

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first bibliometric analysis of COVID-19-related research on antibiotics. Research was carried out in response to global requests to increase the fight against AMR and awareness of the issue. More restrictions on the use of antibiotics are urgently needed from policy makers and authorities, more so than in the current situation.

Addressing health inequalities in Europe: key messages from the Joint Action Health Equity Europe (JAHEE)

Health inequalities within and between Member States of the European Union are widely recognized as a public health problem as they determine a significant share of potentially avoidable mortality and morbidity. After years of growing awareness and increasing action taken, a large gap still exists across Europe in terms of policy responses and governance. With the aim to contribute to achieve greater equity in health outcomes, in 2018 a new Joint Action, JAHEE, (Joint Action Health Equity Europe) was funded by the third EU Health Programme, with the main goal of strengthening cooperation between participating countries and of implementing concrete actions to reduce health inequalities. The partnership led by Italy counted 24 countries, conducting actions in five policy domains: monitoring, governance, healthy living environments, health systems and migration, following a three-step implementation approach. Firstly, specific Policy Frameworks for Action (PFA) collecting the available evidence on what practice should be done in each domain were developed. Second, different Country Assessments (CAs) were completed to check the country's adherence to the recommended practice in each domain. The gap between the expected policy response (PFA) and the present policy response (CA) guided the choice of concrete actions to be implemented in JAHEE, many of which are continuing even after the end of JA. Final recommendations based on the best results achieved during JAHEE were elaborated and agreed jointly with the representatives of the involved Ministries of Health. The JAHEE initiative represented an important opportunity for the participating countries to work jointly, and the results show that almost all have increased their level of action and strengthened their capacities to address health inequalities.

Migration health research in Norway: a scoping review

Aims: To provide an overview of published research on migration and health conducted in Norway and identify gaps in the research field. Methods: Applying a scoping review methodology, we searched Medline for articles on migration health in Norway published between 2008 and 2020, and assessed them according to research topic, methodology, user-involvement and characteristics of the populations studied (country or area of origin, type of migrant/immigrant status). Results: Of the 707 articles retrieved, 303 met the inclusion criteria. Most studies (77%) were within the clinical disciplines reproductive health, mental health, infectious diseases and cardiovascular diseases, or on socio-cultural aspects and the use of healthcare services. One third of the papers (36%) pulled participants from various geographic backgrounds together or did not specify the geographic background. Among those who did so, participants were mostly from The Middle East, South and Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Only 14% of the articles specified the type of migrant/immigrant status and those included refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants. A total of 80% of the papers used quantitative methods, of which 15 described an intervention; 15 papers (5%) described different types of user-involvement. Conclusions: Our findings suggest gaps in research related to migrant subgroups, such as those from Eastern-Europe and labour and family reunification migrants. Future studies should further investigate the self-identified health needs of different migrant groups, and might also benefit from a methodological shift towards more intervention studies and participatory approaches.

Pandemic, Precarity and Health of Migrants in South Asia: Mapping multiple dimensions of precarity and pathways to states of health and well-being

Mobility patterns in South Asia are complex, defined by temporary and circular migration of low waged labourers within and across national borders. They move, live and work in conditions that expose them to numerous hazards and health risks that result in chronic ailments and physical and mental health problems. Yet, public policies and discourses either ignore migrants' health needs or tend to pathologise them, framing them as carriers of diseases. Their structural neglect was exposed by the ongoing pandemic crisis. In this paper, we take stock of the evidence on the health of low-wage migrants in South Asia and examine how their health is linked to their social, political and work lives. The paper derives from a larger body of work on migration and health in South Asia and draws specifically on content analysis and scoping review of literature retrieved through Scopus from 2000 to 2021 on health of low-income migrants. Utilising the lens of precarity and building on previous applications, we identify four dimensions of precarity and examine how these influence health: i) Work-based, concerned with hazardous and disempowering work conditions, ii) Social position-based, pertaining to the social stratification and intersecting oppressions faced by migrants, iii) Status-based, derived from vulnerabilities arising from the mobile and transient nature of their lives and livelihoods, and iv) Governmentality-based, relating to the formal policies and informal procedures of governance that disenfranchise migrants. We illustrate how these collectively produce distinct yet interrelated and interlocking oppressive states of insecurity, disempowerment, dispossession, exclusion, and disposability that define health outcomes, health-seeking pathways, and lock migrants in a continuing cycle of precarity, impoverishment and ill-health.

Perceptions of health and coping strategies among temporary migrant workers in East and Southeast Asia: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The rate of international migration for the primary purpose of employment has increased exponentially in recent decades. A significant proportion of this global movement takes place across East and Southeast Asia as workers move on a temporary basis from lower-middle-income home countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam to high-income host destinations including Hong Kong and Singapore. Relatively little is known about the unique and long-term health needs of this heterogeneous group of people. This systematic review presents an analysis of recent research into the experiences and perceptions of health of temporary migrant workers in the East and Southeast Asian regions.

METHODS

Five electronic databases CINAHL Complete (via EbscoHost), EMBASE (including Medline), PsycINFO (via ProQuest), PubMed and Web of Science, were systematically searched for qualitative or mixed methods, peer-reviewed literature published in print or online between January 2010 and December 2020. Quality of the studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research published by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Findings from the included articles were extracted and synthesised using qualitative thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Eight articles were included in the review. Findings from this review indicate that multiple dimensions of workers' health is impacted by the processes of temporary migration. In addition, the research reviewed indicated that migrant workers used various strategies and mechanisms to attempt to address their health-related issues and to take better care of themselves. Such agentic practices could help them manage and maintain their health and wellbeing across physical, psychological and spiritual dimensions within the structural constraints of their employment.

CONCLUSIONS

Limited published research has focused on the health perceptions and needs of temporary migrant workers in East and Southeast Asia. The studies included in this review focused on female migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines. These studies provide valuable insights but do not reflect the heterogeneity of migrants moving within these regions. The findings of this systematic review highlight that temporary migrant workers experience high and sustained levels of stress and are exposed to certain health risks which may compromise long-term health outcomes. These workers demonstrate knowledge and skills in managing their own health. This suggests that strength-based approaches to health promotion interventions may be effective in optimising their health over time. These findings are relevant to policy makers and non-government organisations supporting migrant workers.

Framework for refugee and migrant health research in the WHO European Region

Migration is a longstanding, growing global phenomenon. As a social determinant of health, migration can lead to health inequities between people on the move and host populations. Thus, it is imperative that there is a coordinated effort to advance migration- and health-related goals. WHO has a specific remit to support evidence-based decision-making in its Member States. As part of that remit, WHO Europe presents this Framework for Refugee and Migrant Health Research in the WHO European Region. It is designed as a starting point for debating and analysing a broad range of options and approaches to help inform a WHO global research agenda on health and migration. This is important because refugee and migrant health research is a complex interdisciplinary field that is expanding in a fast-changing socio-political environment. The Framework is intended for all stakeholders involved: academic, civil society organisations, refugees, migrants, policy-makers, healthcare providers, educators and funders. It is developed by academics in consultation with these stakeholder groups. It reflects on three specific interrelated dynamics in research practice. These are (i) research prioritisation; (ii) study samples and (iii) research design. The Framework offers recommendations to consider for each one of these. It elucidates the value of involving refugees and migrants in research and research agendas and the need to develop an ecosystem that will support and sustain participatory, interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary and inter-sectoral projects.

Youth migration and access to health services in a trading centre in southern Uganda: A qualitative exploration

Impeded access to health services is a major factor influencing migrant health. In Uganda, previous research has shown lower utilisation of health services for young rural-urban migrants compared to their non-migrant counterparts. However, access to health services does not start at utilisation, but can be hampered by being able to identify a need for care. Using qualitative methods, we aimed to explore young rural-urban migrants' perceptions of health and patterns of engagement with health services. We analysed, using thematic analysis, a purposive sample of 18 in-depth interviews with 10 young people who had recently migrated within Uganda. Our results are presented through a framework conceptualising access at the intersection between abilities of people and characteristics of services. Participants perceived a need for care mostly through serious crises. Their ability to obtain care was hindered by a lack of resources, as well as the relative social isolation brought by migration. Our study highlights other barriers to accessing care such as the role of social norms and HIV-related stigma in health issues prioritisation, and healthcare workers' attitudes. This knowledge can inform approaches to ensure that community-based services are able to support healthcare access and improved health outcomes for this vulnerable group.

Analysis and mapping of global research publications on shift work (2012-2021)

BACKGROUND

The main objective of the study was to identify research trends, collaboration patterns, and the most impactful publications in the field of shift work.

METHODS

Documents published in scientific journals indexed in the Scopus database on shift work were retrieved and analyzed using the title/abstract search methodology. The study period was from January 1st, 2012, to December 31st, 2021.

RESULTS

Two thousand three hundred twenty-eight documents were retrieved with an h-index of 71 and an average number of 4.5 authors per document. The cumulative number of publications showed a linear growth pattern, while that of citations showed an exponential pattern. The most frequent author keywords, excluding keywords related to shift work, were sleep, fatigue, and nursing. The average annual growth rate was 4.3, and the average doubling time was 3.2. No significant correlation was found between the number of publications and national income among prolific countries. Cross-country research collaboration was weak while the degree of author-author collaboration was relatively high. The Chronobiology International journal was the most prolific, while Harvard University was the most active institution in the field of shift work.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the volume and the negative health impact of shift work, better human resource management is needed to create safer and healthier working schedules.

Public Health Concern on Sedentary Behavior and Cardiovascular Disease: A Bibliometric Analysis of Literature from 1990 to 2022

Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular disease is a long-term threat to global public health security, while sedentary behavior is a modifiable behavior among cardiovascular risk factors. This study aimed to analyze the peer-reviewed literature published globally on sedentary behavior and cardiovascular disease (SB-CVD) and identify the hotspots and frontiers within this research area. Materials and Methods: Publications on SB-CVD from 1990 to 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were applied to perform bibliometric and knowledge mapping visualization analyses. Results: A total of 2071 publications were retrieved, presenting a gradual growing trend. Authors from the USA topped the list with 748 (36.12%), followed by authors from England (373, 18.01%) and Australia (354, 17.09%). The University of Queensland, Australia, led with 95 (4.5%) publications. The top five active authors were all from Australia, while Dunstan D and Owen N published the most documents (56, 2.7%). A total of 71.27% of the publications received funding, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services provided 363 (17.53%) grants. Public Environmental Occupational Health (498, 24.05%), Sport Sciences (237, 11.44%), and Cardiac Cardiovascular Systems (212, 10.24%) were the three most popular disciplines, while PLOS One (96, 4.64%) and BMC Public Health (88, 4.25%) were the two most popular journals. Investigations within the SB-CVD research area addressed the entire lifespan, the most popular type of research was the epidemiological study, and the accelerometer was the primary instrument for measuring sedentary behavior. In terms of variables, physical activity and sedentary behavior were the dominant lifestyle behaviors, while obesity and hypertension were common health problems. Occupational physical activity and guidelines are at the frontier and are currently in the burst stage. Conclusions: The last three decades have witnessed the rapid development of the SB-CVD research area, and this study provided further research ideas for subsequent investigations.

Migration health research in the Nordic countries: Priorities and implications for public health

The past 50 years have witnessed an increase in immigration to the Nordic countries from and beyond neighbouring countries in Europe. Diversity implies variations and differences in health status and health outcomes both within and across populations. Migrant health research has not been prioritized and health policies and practice, especially long-term national plans, often exclude migrants. In this article, we briefly trace the history, the groups, reasons for migration and the road to migrant health research in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. We discuss the case for data and research including needs, basis for data collection and the methodological challenges. We provide a brief snapshot of migrant health research, identify current gaps and discuss the implications for research. We recommend a regional Nordic strategy to promote intercountry exchange, sharing and learning. Finally, we reflect on the larger picture, implications for policy and practice that could enable societal conditions to reduce avoidable health inequalities.

A Systematic Scoping Review on Migrant Health Coverage in Thailand

(1) Background: Thailand is a major migrant receiving country and pioneer of migrant health policy in the ASEAN region. However, on the ground, coverage of migrants is faced with multiple barriers. (2) Objectives: We aim to scope and analyse the types of available evidence on migrant health coverage in Thailand and identify knowledge gaps. Specifically, we characterise the literature along year of publication, migrant subpopulation, health domain, scope of coverage, methods, study design, objectives and results. (3) Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cochrane Database, Worldwide Science and the Asian Citation Index for peer-reviewed and grey literature in October 2021 for studies analysing original data on health coverage of migrants in Thailand. To conceptualise health coverage, we used the three dimensions availability, accessibility and acceptability. (4) Results: 101 articles were included in the final analysis. Sixty-three were published after 2016, 39 focused on migrant workers and 18 on migrants in general. Forty-two concentrated on health in broader terms, followed by reproductive and maternal health (n = 31). Thirty-eight assessed coverage of specific services and 36 health coverage in general. Migrants themselves and key informants were the main data sources in 80 and 43 of the articles, respectively. Forty publications were qualitative, while 38 applied quantitative methods (22% descriptive; 7% analytical). Among the health coverage components, 79 articles included aspects of accessibility, followed by acceptability (n = 59) and availability (n = 30). (5) Conclusions: While there is a high number and broad range of studies on migrant health coverage in Thailand, we found that research on migrant subgroups, such as victims of trafficking and migrant children, as well as on the health domains, non-communicable diseases and occupational and mental health is neglected.

Building a better understanding of labour exploitation's impact on migrant health: An operational framework

BACKGROUND

There is limited evidence on labour exploitation's impact on migrant health. This population is, however, often employed in manual low-skilled jobs known for poor labour conditions and exploitation risks. The lack of a common conceptualisation of labour exploitation in health research impedes the development of research measuring its effects on migrant health and, ultimately, our understanding of migrants' health needs.

AIM

To develop an operational conceptual framework of labour exploitation focusing on migrant workers in manual low-skilled jobs.

METHODS

Non-probabilistic sampling was used to recruit multidisciplinary experts on labour exploitation. An online Group Concept Mapping (GCM) was conducted. Experts: 1) generated statements describing the concept 'labour exploitation' focusing on migrants working in manual low-skilled jobs; 2) sorted generated statements into groups reflecting common themes; and 3) rated them according to their importance in characterising a situation as migrant labour exploitation. Multidimensional Scaling and Cluster Analysis were used to produce an operational framework detailing the concept content (dimensions, statements, and corresponding averaged rating).

FINDINGS

Thirty-two experts sorted and rated 96 statements according to their relative importance (1 "relatively unimportant" to 5 "extremely important"). The operational framework consists of four key dimensions of migrant labour exploitation, distributed along a continuum of severity revealed by the rating: 'Shelter and personal security' (rating: 4.47); 'Finance and migration' (4.15); 'Health and safety' (3.96); and 'Social and legal protection' (3.71).

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to both generate an empirical operational framework of migrant labour exploitation, and demonstrate the existence of a "continuum from decent work to forced labour". The framework content can be operationalised to measure labour exploitation. It paves the way to better understand how different levels of exploitation affect migrant workers' health for global policymakers, health researchers, and professionals working in the field of migrant exploitation.

Mapping the landscape and structure of global research on binge eating disorder: Visualization and bibliometric analysis

BACKGROUND

Binge-eating disorder (BED) is a clinical syndrome and is considered the most common type of eating disorder. However, our understanding of the global performance and progress of BED research is limited.

AIM

To describe and perform a bibliometric analysis of the state of BED research.

METHODS

The term 'Binge eating' was searched in the title throughout the previous year's up to December 31, 2020. We searched the Scopus and Reference Citation Analysis for publications on Binge eating. The VOSviewer software version 1.6.17 was used to produce the network visualization map of the most frequent author, collaborative relationships between countries/regions, and to determine the hotspots related to binge eating research. In addition, conventional bibliometric indicators were generated.

RESULTS

The search strategy found 2713 total articles and an average of 62 articles per year. Among them, 'Article' represented 82.49% of the publications (n = 2238 articles) and was the most frequent type, followed by reviews (n = 243; 8.96%). The number of publications increased steadily during the last decade of the study period. One hundred and thirty-two countries contributed to binge eating research, with 1495 (55.11%) articles published in the United States, followed by Italy with 256 (9.44%), the United Kingdom with 183 (6.75%), and Germany with 182 (6.71%). Currently, the main hot topics related to BED are 'type of treatment and management and treatment provided to BED"; "processes and pathways to binge eating"; and 'diagnosis, signs and symptoms, comorbidities and prevalence and associated factors with BED'.

CONCLUSION

The number of publications has increased noticeably during the previous decade. There are indeed relatively few publications on BED from low-and middle-income nations, so much is to be learned from the experience of all countries. Studies on this topic are critical in all countries to discover risk factors and effective intervention measures. Although our findings are preliminary, they imply that the future prospects for interventions aimed at BED management are bright, focusing on complex models of care and long-term maintenance of therapeutic gains.

Patient satisfaction with nursing care: A bibliometric and visualization analysis (1950-2021)

AIM

The current study aimed to provide an overview of research publications on patient satisfaction with nursing care.

BACKGROUND

Research activity on patient satisfaction with nursing care is an indicator of the commitment of policymakers to improve the quality of health services.

DESIGN

This was a descriptive cross-sectional bibliometric study.

METHODS

The Scopus database was used to retrieve relevant documents for the period from 1950 to 31 December 2021. The keywords 'patient satisfaction' and 'nursing care' were used in the search strategy. Two volunteers validated the search strategy.

RESULTS

The search strategy found 387 documents authored by 1470 researchers and disseminated through 241 journals. Research on patient satisfaction with nursing care (a) has experienced a steep growth over the last decade; (b) was mainly published by scholars from a limited number of countries; (c) has limited cross-country collaboration and limited author collaboration; (d) has addressed research topics concerning the quality of care, instrument validation, emergency department and hospital care and (e) has shown the highest readability for topics related to nurses' burnout and patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

Researchers and educators, especially in low- and middle-income countries, need to focus on this field to support activities to upgrade health services and patient outcomes.

Online mathematics education as bio-eco-techno process: bibliometric analysis using co-authorship and bibliographic coupling

Under the COVID-19 pandemic, mathematics education has moved completely online. To tackle this new norm based on bio-eco-techno theories, this study aims to provide educators an overview of the research landscape for envisioning educational practices through bibliometric analysis of 319 articles and reviews published in peer-reviewed journals from 1993 to 2020. Country and institutional co-authorship depicts the social network structure of the field to identify top productive contributors. Bibliographic coupling of publications forms the conceptual structure, revealing research themes. Together, the results are mapped according to the bio-eco-techno perspective. The bioecological system highlights student achievement as the central concerns. The microsystem emphasizes techno-subsystems for supporting flipped learning. The exosystem and mesosystem require institution support for teacher pedagogical design, digital competencies, and collaboration. The macrosystem raises the issue of distribution or centralization in the strengths of online mathematics education and calls for greater cross-national boundary digital use and collaboration. The chronosystem asks: Does Covid-19 force the popularity of blended or flipped learning into online education? Based on the bio-eco-techno perspective, further recommendations are provided.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11192-022-04441-3.

Contribution of researchers in Arab countries to scientific publications on neglected tropical diseases (1971 - 2020)

BACKGROUND

The neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are endemic in several Arab countries. The purpose of the current study was to assess the contribution of researchers in Arab countries to the knowledge base on NTDs using bibliometric indicators.

METHODS

Keywords related to all 20 NTDs were obtained from previously published bibliometric studies and were combined with the names of Arab countries listed as country affiliation. the search strategy was implemented in the Scopus database and bibliometric indicators were generated for the study period from 1971 to 2020 RESULTS: The search strategy generated 6542 documents; representing less than 4% of the global research in the field. Scientific research on NTDs from researchers in Arab countries (a) has experienced slow growth; (b) generated a relatively inadequate number of publications over the study period; (c) was disseminated mainly through journals in the field of parasitology or tropical medicine; (d) was contributed by researchers from the 22 Arab countries, but mainly by researchers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan; (e) has fragmented author networks with weak collaboration between active authors in the field; (f) was characterized by strong cross-country research collaboration with researchers in the US and the UK; (g) has focused on three main diseases, specifically, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and onchocerciasis, and (h) showed less emphasis on soil-transmitted helminthiasis infections despite high prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS

Arab countries cannot achieve the 2030 global agenda without control and elimination of prevalent NTDs. Researchers in Arab countries need to establish strong research networks to exchange expertise on all NTDs.

Mapping the Research on Health Policy and Services in the Last Decade (2009-2018): A Bibliometric Analysis

Background

Health policy and services is a continuously evolving field of research that can inform prevention and control efforts for a variety of health conditions. The "Healthy China" strategy reflects the demand to formulate health policy that suits China's national needs and goals. Applying bibliometric analysis to grasp the general situation of health policy and services research globally will be conducive to informing China's designated health plans and initiatives.

Method

A bibliometric analysis of 58,065 articles on "Health Policy and Services" topics was conducted. The document type was restricted to journal articles that were published in the Web of Science database between the time parameter of January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2018. Data was collected on indicators such as the annual number of publications in the field of health policy and services, the country where the publication is issued, the publication organization, the source journal, the frequency of citations, research hotspots, and academic areas.

Results

The overall number of articles published in Web of Science on health policy and services research has increased over time. The United States has the largest number of articles in the field. The institution with the highest number of citations in the field is Harvard University and the journal with the most published articles in the field is Health Affairs. Research hotspots in the health policy and services field include topics such as "HIV Infections," "Primary Health Care," "Delivery of Health Care," and "Health Services Accessibility."

Conclusion

Experts in the field of health policy and services globally are dedicated to researching the most effective ways to improve people's health and living standards. There is a certain gap in the depth of health policy and services research between China and developed countries and regions such as Europe or America. China must learn from foreign experience to conduct meaningful and informative research that can aid in the formulation of multi-dimensional health policies in specific areas such as environmental infectious diseases, where attention is needed in areas beyond the medical and health system.

More than 100 years of neglect: a bibliometric analysis of global research on noma (cancrum oris)

BACKGROUND

Research plays a significant role in quantifying and addressing the burden of disease, improving healthcare delivery and developing evidence-based policy for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Since noma is not a recognised NTD by the World Health Organization (WHO), research activity is hypothesised to be low. This study aims to understand patterns and trends of research conducted on noma, to understand the patterns of citations, highlight networks of collaboration and analyse stakeholders in noma research.

METHODS

The SCOPUS database was selected and searched. Data analysis was conducted using the bibliometrix package for R in RStudio. Areas of interest included the distribution of research output on noma by year and location, the academic impact of publication output, mapping the major academic community and conducting a thematic analysis of high-frequency keywords.

RESULTS

A total of 208 documents were identified. The annual growth rate of publications is 4.3%. The average number of citations per publication was 11.0 (rounded from 10.98) and the average citations per year per publication was 0.57. The USA was the country with the highest percentage 10.6% (n=22) of corresponding authors, followed by Nigeria (6.7% [n=14]), the UK (6.3% [n=13]) and India (5.8% [n=12]). For those papers with multiple authors, there was an average of 3.22 co-authors per document. The collaboration index was 3.3. Upon plotting collaboration networks between authors, only 11 clusters were identified (frequency and intensity of collaboration). Mapping of trending topics showed a focus on skin grafting and transplantation within the literature.

CONCLUSIONS

In order to progress towards eventual elimination of noma it is key that more research should be undertaken and more interest and funding should be dedicated to work on noma. Recognition of noma as an NTD by the WHO would be a first step in moving towards increased awareness.

How Are Non-Medical Settlement Service Organizations Supporting Access to Healthcare and Mental Health Services for Immigrants: A Scoping Review

Following resettlement in high-income countries, many immigrants and refugees experience barriers to accessing primary healthcare. Local non-medical settlement organizations, such as the Local Immigration Partnerships in Canada, that support immigrant integration, may also support access to mental health and healthcare services for immigrant populations. This scoping review aims to identify and map the types and characteristics of approaches and interventions that immigrant settlement organizations undertake to support access to primary healthcare for clients. We systematically searched MEDLINE, Social Services Abstracts, CINAHL, and PsycInfo databases from 1 May 2013 to 31 May 2021 and mapped research findings using the Social-Ecological Model. The search identified 3299 citations; 10 studies met all inclusion criteria. Results suggest these organizations support access to primary healthcare services, often at the individual, relationship and community level, by collaborating with health sector partners in the community, connecting clients to health services and service providers, advocating for immigrant health, providing educational programming, and initiating community development/mobilization and advocacy activities. Further research is needed to better understand the impact of local non-medical immigrant settlement organizations involved in health care planning and service delivery on reducing barriers to access in order for primary care services to reach marginalized, high-need immigrant populations.

Mental Health Screening Approaches for Resettling Refugees and Asylum Seekers: A Scoping Review

Refugees and asylum seekers often face delayed mental health diagnoses, treatment, and care. COVID-19 has exacerbated these issues. Delays in diagnosis and care can reduce the impact of resettlement services and may lead to poor long-term outcomes. This scoping review aims to characterize studies that report on mental health screening for resettling refugees and asylum seekers pre-departure and post-arrival to a resettlement state. We systematically searched six bibliographic databases for articles published between 1995 and 2020 and conducted a grey literature search. We included publications that evaluated early mental health screening approaches for refugees of all ages. Our search identified 25,862 citations and 70 met the full eligibility criteria. We included 45 publications that described mental health screening programs, 25 screening tool validation studies, and we characterized 85 mental health screening tools. Two grey literature reports described pre-departure mental health screening. Among the included publications, three reported on two programs for women, 11 reported on programs for children and adolescents, and four reported on approaches for survivors of torture. Programs most frequently screened for overall mental health, PTSD, and depression. Important considerations that emerged from the literature include cultural and psychological safety to prevent re-traumatization and digital tools to offer more private and accessible self-assessments.