Global trends of positive deviance research in public health: A bibliometric analysis (1976-2024)

The positive deviance approach is a community-based strategy that promotes behavioral and social change to improve health outcomes and demonstrates effectiveness even in resource-limited settings. Although the number of scientific studies on positive deviance has increased, comprehensive quantitative assessments of its overall trends remain lacking. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis to analyze global trends and key themes in positive deviance research within public health over the past 50 years (1976-2024).

We used data from Scopus and Web of Science, examining publications including the term "positive devian*" alongside "public health" or "community health." The analysis covered articles and reviews published from 1976 to 2024. Additionally, we conducted descriptive analysis, network analysis, and thematic mapping.

We identified 319 publications in 219 journals in the studied period. Contributions were made from 45 countries, including 25 low- or middle-income countries (55.6 %). Notably, 106 papers (33.2 %) and 30 countries (66.7 %) involved international collaboration, with the United States leading in both productivity and collaboration. Thematic mapping indicated that high-income countries prioritized motor themes (well-developed, relevant thematic areas) such as "obesity" and "resilience" and emerging themes like "quality improvement" and "primary care." Conversely, lower-income countries focused on motor themes like "stunting" and "wasting" and emerging themes like "qualitative" research and "malaria."

There is a rising global interest in positive deviance, as evidenced by increasing publication volume, participation from lower-income countries, and strengthened international collaborations. Focusing on underexplored themes could help shape the direction of future positive deviance research in public health.