Malaria Research Output in Malaysia from 1956 to 2024: A Scientometric Analysis

Kuang Hock Lim; Yoon Ling Cheong; Jia Hui Lim; Adela Ida Anak Jiram; Rosilawati Rasli; Mohd Hazilas Mat Hashim; Syahaliyana Saidin; Pei Pei Heng; Hui Li Lim

doi:10.22452/jtoh.vol1.11

Authors

Kuang Hock Lim Independent Researcher, Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia
Yoon Ling Cheong Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur
Jia Hui Lim School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, Subang Jaya, Malaysia.
Adela Ida Anak Jiram Parasitology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13 Setia Alam, Shah Alam, 40170 Selangor.
Rosilawati Rasli Medical Entomology Unit, Infectious Disease Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13 Setia Alam, Shah Alam, 40170 Selangor.
Mohd Hazilas Mat Hashim Biomedical Museum Unit, Special Resource Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur.
Syahaliyana Saidin Biomedical Museum Unit, Special Resource Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur.
Pei Pei Heng Institute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Malaysia
Hui Li Lim Clinical Research Centre, Centre of Clinical Care and Outcomes Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13 Setia Alam, Shah Alam, 40170 Selangor.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22452/jtoh.vol1.11

Keywords:

Malaria, Plasmodium, bibliometric, Bradford's Law, Lotka's Law, Scientometric analysis, Zipf's Law

Abstract

Malaysia has contributed to malaria research, particularly studies of Plasmodium knowlesi as a zoonotic cause of human malaria. This study mapped the growth, contributors, collaboration patterns, citation structure, journal concentration, author productivity, and thematic profile of Malaysia malaria research, addressing the absence of a national scientometric synthesis. We analysed 674 malaria-related publications indexed in Scopus from 1956 through 2024. Descriptive statistics, the Ajiferuke collaboration coefficient, citation analysis, Lotka, Bradford and Zipf models, and VOSviewer network mapping were applied. The valid-case denominators were 672 publications for authorship and collaboration and 673 for citation distribution. Output increased after the late 2000s and peaked at 37 publications in 2022. The collaboration coefficient was 0.70 and rose across the three study periods (0.47, 0.59 and 0.73). Of 2,041 authors, 78.05% published one article. The fitted Lotka exponent was 1.6722, and the cumulative-distribution distance was 0.2852. The BK Sen approximation had a lower error (6.37% versus 50.22%). Six journals formed the Bradford core; keyword frequencies were concentrated in a small set of terms. Malaysian malaria research expanded and developed international links, with citations concentrated in zoonotic-malaria studies. The findings support broader institutional participation and targeted research on ecological, environmental and socio-behavioural dimensions of zoonotic transmission.

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