ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate gender differences in authorship in physical activity and health research. METHODS: A bibliometric study including 23,399 articles from 105 countries was conducted to estimate the participation of female researchers in physical activity publications from 1950 to 2019. The frequency of female researchers was analyzed and classified by first and last authors and the overall percentage of female authors by region and country. RESULTS: The proportion of female first authors increased from <10% in the 50s and 80s to 55% in the last decade. On the other hand, the proportion of last authors increased from 8.7% to 41.1% in the same period. Most publications with female researchers were from the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, the Netherlands, Spain, England, Germany, Sweden, and China. Nine of these countries had over 50% of the articles published by female first authors. However, in all 10 countries, <50% of the articles were published by female last authors. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of female researchers increased over time. However, regional differences exist and should be addressed in gender equity policies. There is a gap in the participation of female researchers as last authors. By actively addressing the gender gap in research, the global society can harness the full potential of all talented individuals, regardless of gender, leading to more inclusive and impactful scientific advancements.
Subject(s)
Authorship , Bibliometrics , Exercise , Humans , Female , Sex Factors , Male , Research PersonnelABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution of physical activity (PA) research in Africa, examine income and gender inequalities, and discuss future possibilities. METHODS: A secondary analyses of the Global Observatory for Physical Activity data on PA research in Africa (1950-2019). RESULTS: We identified 514 PA articles from 47 African countries in the past 70 years. Majority (83.1%) of the articles were published between 2012 and 2019. Fifteen countries had no publications. Six countries (South Africa [n = 156], Nigeria [n = 85], Ethiopia [n = 44], Ghana [n = 41], Kenya [n = 39], and Cameroon [n = 20]) accounted for about 75% of the publications. Most articles were observational (92.4%), single-country studies (78.4%), with male first (58.4%) and last authors (68%), and were classified as surveillance studies (45.1%). Few studies addressed interventions (5.8%) and policy (3.5%) or used device-based PA measurement (14.0%). The number of articles per country was positively related to human population level (r = .552, P = .000) and gross domestic product % spent on research and development (r = .301, P = .040). The publication rate per 100,000 people was positively related with the human development index (r = .349, P = .016) and negatively with the gender inequality index (r = -.360, P = .019). CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide an overview and status of PA research in Africa, highlighting country differences and gender inequalities in authorship. The findings may be used to benchmark the evolution of research in the region and to inform areas for improvement. There is an urgent need for more PA interventions and policy studies in Africa.
Subject(s)
Exercise , Humans , Africa , Male , Female , Socioeconomic Factors , Sex Factors , Research , IncomeABSTRACT
O objetivo desse estudo foi descrever a prevalência de acesso a locais para a prática de atividade física (AF) por usuários de Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS) da zona urbana da cidade de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. Foi realizado um estudo de delineamento transversal, de base populacional comunitária, com usuários de 18 anos ou mais, que alguma vez tenham recebido aconselhamento para a prática de AF na UBS e que estivessem aguardando atendimento na sala de espera da UBS. Foram coletadas variáveis socioeconômicas, demográficas, comportamentais, de saúde e de acesso a AF. O desfecho, acesso a algum local para prática de AF, foi operacionalizado pela seguinte pergunta: "Após o aconselhamento para a prática de atividade física, o(a) Sr(a) teve acesso a algum local em que fosse possível realizar atividade física?". Foram entrevistados 248 usuários em 31 UBS visitadas. A prevalência de acesso a locais para a prática de AF foi de 52,8%, sendo os locais públicos os mais acessados (63,4%). Entre quem não teve acesso, 46,2% não procuraram por um local e 29,2% relataram não existir local público adequado. Concluímos que apesar dos usuários de UBS considerarem a AF como importante para a saúde e apesar de ter recebido aconselhamento para a prática de AF, pouco mais da metade dos entrevistados teve acesso a locais de prática de AF
The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence of access to places for physical activity (PA) practice among users of Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU) in the urban area of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. A cross-sec-tional, community-based study was carried out with users aged 18 years or older who had ever received PA counseling at the PHCU and who were in the waiting rooms of the services. Socioeconomic, demographic, behavioral, health and access to PA variables were analyzed. To verify the outcome, access to PA facilities/spaces, we used the following question: "After physical activity counseling, did you had access to some place where you could perform physical activities?". In the 31 PHCU visited, 248 users were interviewed. The prevalence of access to places for PA practice was 52.8%, the public places were the most accessed (63.4%). Among those who did not have access, 46.2% did not look for a place and 29.2% reported that there was no adequate public place. It was concluded that although PHCU users consider PA as important for health and despite having received counseling for PA, just over half of interviewees have access to PA practice places
