The Contribution of Demographic Surveillance Systems: An Indepth Bibliometric Analysis of Demographic Surveillance System Publications from Developing Countries

Amanda Brosius, Swiss Tropical Institute
Don deSavigny, Swiss Tropical Institute
James F. Phillips, Population Council
Osman Sankoh, INDEPTH Network
Fred Binka, University of Ghana

Using bibliometric techniques, we assembled a database of over 1,100 peer-reviewed publications reporting findings dependent on longitudinal or nested studies conducted in 45 demographic surveillance sites (DSS) since 1962. This database will provide an opportunity to analyze the contribution of DSS efforts to the advancement of public health knowledge, policy, and practice in developing countries. The first step in this analysis is to evaluate the relevance of DSS research fronts to prevailing public health priorities. We map the distribution of DSS publications with regard to demographic patterns, burden of disease, risk factors and health determinants, intervention trials, health system effectiveness, and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Results indicate a good concordance between publication focus and population health needs and a DSS research agenda since 1990 that is highly Millennium Development Goal relevant. Future work will be devoted to evaluating the influence of DSS research on health policy and practice.