We enjoyed reading Dr. Saba's paper[1] and would like to share some
opinions about HIV/AIDS related publications in the Middle East and North
Arica (MENA). This paper showed a positive trend in the number of annual
HIV/AIDS related publications in the MENA, on the other hand, this paper
suggests that this number is still very low considering the sharp upward
trend of HIV new infections in this region.
This gap might be due to several factors. The unsupportive dominant
political climate as well as the stigma and sensitivity surrounding at-
risk populations such as Men having Sex with Men is very high[2]. Some of
these countries have long been struggling with internal wars, uprisings,
and terrorism; that may overshadow the importance of this infection in the
minds of those in charge.
On the other hand, the dynamic of research have profound pitfalls in
the region. The potential research capacity and the availability of
funding do differ greatly across the region[2]. Lack of a clear and
comprehensive plan in several countries in this region might also be an
influencing factor.
Last but not least, scarce publications on HIV/AIDS related topics may
stem from the policy of credited scientific journals in publishing the
findings of researchers from this region. Most scientific journals stick
to high international research standards (regarding methodology mainly),
while reviewing manuscripts from the MENA region. Some barriers such as
low sample size, presence of selection and information biases to some
extent might convince journals to reject the papers from this region[3].
However, implementation of high quality studies might be impossible in
some of these countries. We think even simple descriptive data using even
convenience sampling methods could be an important step forward in
enriching the available data in the region[2].
Out of the formerly mentioned factors, we assume changing the viewpoints
of journal editors is one of the most feasible options we have ahead.
Lastly, although publishing the findings of researches and studies across
the region is of importance, the way and to the extent those findings are
applied in the countries to make a change and better the situation is much
more vital.
References:
1. Hanan F Saba, et al., Characterising the progress in HIV/AIDS research
in the Middle East and North Africa. Sex Transm Infect, 2013(0): p. 1-5.
2. Ivana Bozicevic, Gabriele Riedner, and Jesus maria Garcia Calleja, HIV
surveillance in MENA: recent developments and results. Sex Transm Infect,
2013(0): p. 1-6.
3. Ghina R Mumtaz, et al., Are HIV epidemics among men who have sex with
men emerging in the Middle East and North Africa?: a systematic review and
data synthesis. PLoS Med, 2011. 8(8): p. e1000444.
Conflict of Interest:
None declared
We enjoyed reading Dr. Saba's paper[1] and would like to share some opinions about HIV/AIDS related publications in the Middle East and North Arica (MENA). This paper showed a positive trend in the number of annual HIV/AIDS related publications in the MENA, on the other hand, this paper suggests that this number is still very low considering the sharp upward trend of HIV new infections in this region. This gap might be due to several factors. The unsupportive dominant political climate as well as the stigma and sensitivity surrounding at- risk populations such as Men having Sex with Men is very high[2]. Some of these countries have long been struggling with internal wars, uprisings, and terrorism; that may overshadow the importance of this infection in the minds of those in charge.
On the other hand, the dynamic of research have profound pitfalls in the region. The potential research capacity and the availability of funding do differ greatly across the region[2]. Lack of a clear and comprehensive plan in several countries in this region might also be an influencing factor. Last but not least, scarce publications on HIV/AIDS related topics may stem from the policy of credited scientific journals in publishing the findings of researchers from this region. Most scientific journals stick to high international research standards (regarding methodology mainly), while reviewing manuscripts from the MENA region. Some barriers such as low sample size, presence of selection and information biases to some extent might convince journals to reject the papers from this region[3]. However, implementation of high quality studies might be impossible in some of these countries. We think even simple descriptive data using even convenience sampling methods could be an important step forward in enriching the available data in the region[2]. Out of the formerly mentioned factors, we assume changing the viewpoints of journal editors is one of the most feasible options we have ahead. Lastly, although publishing the findings of researches and studies across the region is of importance, the way and to the extent those findings are applied in the countries to make a change and better the situation is much more vital.
References: 1. Hanan F Saba, et al., Characterising the progress in HIV/AIDS research in the Middle East and North Africa. Sex Transm Infect, 2013(0): p. 1-5. 2. Ivana Bozicevic, Gabriele Riedner, and Jesus maria Garcia Calleja, HIV surveillance in MENA: recent developments and results. Sex Transm Infect, 2013(0): p. 1-6. 3. Ghina R Mumtaz, et al., Are HIV epidemics among men who have sex with men emerging in the Middle East and North Africa?: a systematic review and data synthesis. PLoS Med, 2011. 8(8): p. e1000444.
Conflict of Interest:
None declared