Factors Affecting Surgical Research Collaboratives in Africa: a Meta-research Study

Abstract Introduction: In December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need for rapid collaboration, research, and interventions. International research collaborations foster more significant responses to rapid global changes by enabling international, multi-centre research, decreasing biases, and increasing study validity while reducing overall research time and costs. However, there has been low uptake of collaborative research by African institutions andindividuals. Aim: To systematically review the critical success factors and challenges to collaborative surgical research studies conducted in Africa. Methodology: A meta-research review using PubMed®/ MEDLINE and EMBASE on surgical collaboration in Africa from 1st of January 2011 to 31st of September 2021 per PRISMA guidelines. Fifty-five papers met the criteria for inclusion. In addition, data on the study period, geographical regions, and research scope, success factors, and challenges, were also e extracted from the studies retrieved from the search. Results: Most of the collaborations in Africa occurred with European institutions (76%). Of the 54 African countries, 63% (34/54) participated in surgical collaborations. The highest frequencies of collaborations were occurring in South Africa (11%) and Nigeria (8%). However, the highest number of publications originated from Eastern Africa (43%). Leveraging synergies between high- and low- to middle-income countries (LMICs), well-defined structures and secure data platforms led to successful collaborations. However, the under-representation of collaborators from LMICs was a significant challenge. Conclusion: Available literature provides critical insights into the successes and challenges of collaborative research in Africa. However, there is a need for a detailed qualitative study to explore further the themes highlighted. Review protocol: PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022352115 Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022352115