Human papilloma virus: global research architecture assessed by density-equalizing mapping.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Epidemiology
• Bibliometrics

Background:

• Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is a primary cause of cervical cancer, the fourth most common cancer globally in women.
• A comprehensive understanding of the global HPV research landscape, including its geographical and chronological development, is lacking.
• Cervical cancer disproportionately affects women in low-income countries, highlighting a potential gap in research focus and public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map the global HPV research architecture, analyzing publication trends, geographical distribution, and citation metrics.
• To evaluate the relationship between HPV research output and the socioeconomic characteristics of publishing countries.
• To identify key players and collaboration patterns in the international HPV research community.

Main Methods:

• A bibliometric analysis of 29,330 HPV-related publications.
• Assessment of publication counts, citation data, and collaboration networks.
• Correlation of research activity with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and income levels of countries.

Main Results:

• The United States led in HPV publications (12,270), with high-income countries dominating the top 15.
• Finland and Sweden showed the highest research output relative to GDP.
• The US was central to 4,517 international HPV collaborations, indicating a research landscape dominated by North America and Western Europe.

Conclusions:

• The global HPV research landscape is concentrated in high-income countries, contrasting with the high burden of HPV-related cervical cancer in low-income nations.
• There is a critical need to foster HPV prevention research and public health interventions in low-income countries through financial support and international partnerships.
• Targeted strategies are required to address the HPV burden in regions with limited research capacity and resources.