Public health research literature on infectious diseases: coverage and gaps in Europe

BACKGROUND: In this study, bibliometric methods were used to investigate prevention and control of infectious diseases (IDs). The aim was to gain an overall view of published research on IDs in Europe as part of the collaborative study SPHERE (Strengthening Public Health Research in Europe). METHODS: A framework for research on IDs and public health was developed with definitions, keywords, inclusion and exclusion criteria. A detailed web search strategy based on the framework was designed, piloted and refined. The PubMed electronic database was searched for 'infectious diseases' as a whole, and for several subtopic areas, across July 1995 and June 2005. Numbers of publications by year, country, population and Gross Domestic Product were calculated. RESULTS: Nearly 21,000 publications on the main topic and sub-topics were found, with a progressive increase particularly since 2000. There was a marked heterogeneity between countries. France, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, UK and Belgium were the most prolific, and Eastern European countries less so. 'Vaccine-preventable diseases', 'Sexually transmitted diseases', 'Drug-resistant infections', 'Insect-arthropod-related diseases' and 'Childhood diseases' were the main fields of scientific production. Research on 'Epidemiology and Surveillance' appeared, in general, to be better represented than research on 'Prevention and Control'. Discussion: This is the first time such a broad approach has been used to describe public health research on IDs across Europe. A priority should be cooperation between European states where there is little or no, scientific production. Bibliometrics has limitations, but is of value to indicate a general pattern.