Autism Spectrum Disorder Research in Africa, 2000-2024: A Bibliometric Analysis of Publication Trends, Geographic Distribution, and Evidence Gaps

Methods A systematic bibliometric analysis was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and African Journals Online (AJOL). Search terms included combinations of "autism," "autistic," "autism spectrum disorder," "ASD," and "Africa," restricted to peer-reviewed publications from January 2000 to December 2024. Bibliometric indicators including publication frequency, country of origin, authorship affiliations, journal distribution, and thematic clustering were extracted and synthesised using descriptive analysis and mapping against the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) framework for evidence mapping. 

Results A total of 54 African countries represent over 1.4 billion people, yet published ASD research from the continent remains heavily concentrated in two countries-South Africa and Nigeria-which together account for the majority of identified outputs. Across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), existing reviews have identified between 47 and 53 peer-reviewed studies, representing the lowest regional output globally. West Africa produced 41 studies across only five of its sixteen countries, with Ghana contributing just eight studies. Ten West African countries had no identifiable ASD publication during the review period. Dominant research themes included professional knowledge and awareness, prevalence estimation, and screening tool adaptation. Critical gaps persist in early intervention, school-based studies, adult ASD, longitudinal research, and genetics across most African populations. 

Conclusions ASD research in Africa is severely underrepresented, geographically concentrated, and thematically narrow. The maldistribution of research output mirrors the broader inequities in global health knowledge production. Urgent investment in African-led, contextually grounded ASD research is required to inform evidence-based policy, improve diagnostic services, and address the needs of an estimated population of millions of autistic individuals across the continent whose experiences remain invisible in the global literature.