Open(ing) Access: Top Health Publication Availability to Researchers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

John L Kilgallon; Saumya Khanna; Tanujit Dey; Timothy R Smith; Kavitha Ranganathan

doi:10.5334/aogh.3904

Open(ing) Access: Top Health Publication Availability to Researchers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Ann Glob Health. 2023 Jun 5;89(1):40. doi: 10.5334/aogh.3904. eCollection 2023.

Authors

John L Kilgallon¹, Saumya Khanna², Tanujit Dey³, Timothy R Smith^{1

2}, Kavitha Ranganathan⁴

Affiliations

¹ Computational Neurosciences Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
² Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
³ Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
⁴ Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.

Abstract

Introduction: Improving access to information for health professionals and researchers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is under-prioritized. This study examines publication policies that affect authors and readers from LMICs.

Methods: We used the SHERPA RoMEO database and publicly available publishing protocols to evaluate open access (OA) policies, article processing charges (APCs), subscription costs, and availability of health literature relevant to authors and readers in LMICs. Categorical variables were summarized using frequencies with percentages. Continuous variables were reported with median and interquartile range (IQR). Hypothesis testing procedures were performed using Wilcoxon rank sum tests, Wilcoxon rank sum exact tests, and Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results: A total of 55 journals were included; 6 (11%) were Gold OA (access to readers and large charge for authors), 2 (3.6%) were subscription (charge for readers and small/no charge for authors), 4 (7.3%) were delayed OA (reader access with no charge after embargo), and 43 (78%) were hybrid (author's choice). There was no significant difference between median APC for life sciences, medical, and surgical journals ($4,850 [$3,500-$8,900] vs. $4,592 [$3,500-$5,000] vs. $3,550 [$3,200-$3,860]; p = 0.054). The median US individual subscription costs (USD/Year) were significantly different for life sciences, medical, and surgical journals ($259 [$209-$282] vs. $365 [$212-$744] vs. $455 [$365-$573]; p = 0.038), and similar for international readers. A total of seventeen journals (42%) had a subscription price that was higher for international readers than for US readers.

Conclusions: Most journals offer hybrid access services. Authors may be forced to choose between high cost with greater reach through OA and low cost with less reach publishing under the subscription model under current policies. International readers face higher costs. Such hindrances may be mitigated by a greater awareness and liberal utilization of OA policies.

Keywords: Global Health; LMICs; Open Access; Publishing; Surgery.

MeSH terms

Databases, Factual
Developing Countries*
Gold
Health Personnel
Humans
Research Personnel*

Substances

Gold