Funding patterns for biomedical research and infectious diseases burden in Gabon. 2021

Olouyomi Scherif Adegnika, and Yabo Josiane Honkpehedji, and Fabrice Mougeni Lotola, and Selidji Todagbe Agnandji, and Ayola Akim Adegnika, and Bertrand Lell, and Elisa Sicuri
Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon. scherif.adegnika@cermel.org.

Biomedical research plays an important role in improving health. There seems to exist a negative correlation between the amount of biomedical research funding and disease burden from all Sub-Saharan African countries. In this study, we describe funding patterns for biomedical research, explore the correlation between funding and burden of diseases, and quantify inequalities in funds distribution across diseases in Gabon over the period 2005-2015. Data on medical research funds from 2005 to 2015 were retrieved through a structured questionnaire distributed to Gabonese biomedical research institutions and by consulting online databases. Data on the burden of diseases were gathered from the World Health Organization and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. We used Kendall rank correlation coefficient to explore the correlation between cumulative funds over time and the burden of disease. The inequality distribution of funding across diseases was assessed through Gini coefficient and Lorenz curve. Biomedical research funding was characterized by a remarkable growth from 2005 to 2010 and a decline from 2010 to 2014. Funds were mostly from external sources and from partnerships. There was inequality in research funds allocation across diseases and malaria was far the most funded disease. There was a significant negative correlation between cumulative funding and the burden of HIV, tuberculosis, and of Helminthiasis (from 2006 to 2010) suggesting that research may be contributing to the management of such diseases. A positive, although not significant, correlation was found between cumulative funds and malaria burden. The negative correlation between HIV and tuberculosis cumulative funding and burden suggests that research may be contributing to the management of such diseases but further research is needed to assess the causal direction of such as relationship. As the burden of non-communicable diseases is increasing, more research funds should be focused on those. While research partnerships have been and will remain fundamental, Gabon should increase the amount of national funds to overcome periods of reduced research funding flows from abroad.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D003141 Communicable Diseases An illness caused by an infectious agent or its toxins that occurs through the direct or indirect transmission of the infectious agent or its products from an infected individual or via an animal, vector or the inanimate environment to a susceptible animal or human host. Infectious Diseases,Communicable Disease,Disease, Communicable,Disease, Infectious,Diseases, Communicable,Diseases, Infectious,Infectious Disease
D005376 Financial Management The obtaining and management of funds for institutional needs and responsibility for fiscal affairs. Endowments,Financial Activities,Funds,Activities, Financial,Activity, Financial,Endowment,Financial Activity,Fund,Management, Financial
D005681 Gabon A republic in west equatorial Africa, south of CAMEROON and west of the CONGO. Its capital is Libreville. Gabonese Republic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D017281 Cost of Illness The personal cost of disease which may be economic, social, or psychological. The cost of illness may be reflected in absenteeism, productivity, response to treatment, peace of mind, or QUALITY OF LIFE. It differs from HEALTH CARE COSTS, the societal cost of providing services related to the delivery of health care. Burden Of Disease,Burden of Illness,Disease Burden,Disease Costs,Cost of Disease,Cost of Sickness,Costs of Disease,Disease Cost,Economic Burden of Disease,Sickness Cost,Burden Of Diseases,Burden, Disease,Cost, Disease,Disease Burdens,Illness Burden,Illness Burdens,Illness Cost,Illness Costs,Sickness Costs
D035843 Biomedical Research Research that involves the application of the natural sciences, especially biology and physiology, to medicine. Medical Research,Experimental Medicine,Investigational Medicine,Investigative Medicine,Research, Biomedical,Research, Medical,Medicine, Experimental,Medicine, Investigational,Medicine, Investigative

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