Scientometrics
Volume/Issue:
Volume 86: Issue 2
Scientometrics of a pandemic: HIV/AIDS research in South Africa and the World
Authors:
Anthipi Pouris Capacity and Strategic Platforms Grants, National Research Foundation, Pretoria, South Africa
Institute for Technological Innovation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa anastassios.pouris@up.ac.za

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and
Anastassios Pouris Institute for Technological Innovation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa anastassios.pouris@up.ac.za

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Pages:
541–552
Online Publication Date:
20 Aug 2010
Publication Date:
01 Feb 2011
Article Category:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-010-0277-6
Keywords:
Scientometrics; HIV/AIDS; South Africa; Human immunodeficiency virus; Science policy
Restricted access

Abstract

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is of international interest with the 2008 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine having being awarded for the discovery of the virus that causes AIDS. South Africa has a particular interest in the field of HIV/AIDS research as it is the country with the largest number of HIV infections in the world and the issue has created a number of political and scientific debates. This investigation identifies the state of HIV/AIDS related research in South Africa vis-a-vis the rest of the world using evaluative scientometrics in order to inform relevant policy. South Africa is identified as producing an increasing number of HIV/AIDS related publications, making it one of the most prolific fields in the country. The rest of the world appears to have stabilized its research efforts after the development of highly active antiretroviral therapies. The USA is identified as the main producer of HIV/AIDS research while Europe appears to under-emphasise the issue. Comparison of the world's most prolific universities with those in South Africa identifies that the latter has a fragmented system. A number of policy issues are discussed.

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Cover Scientometrics
Scientometrics
Print ISSN:
0138-9130
Online ISSN:
1588-2861

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Scientometrics
Language English
Size B5
Year of
Foundation		 1978
Volumes
per Year		 1
Issues
per Year		 12
Founder Akadémiai Kiadó
Founder's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Publisher's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
CH-6330 Cham, Switzerland Gewerbestrasse 11.
Responsible
Publisher		 Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 0138-9130 (Print)
ISSN 1588-2861 (Online)

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