[Bibliometric analysis on complex network techniques in HIV preventive interventions].

Objective

To describe the knowledge structure, collaboration patterns, and thematic evolution of complex networks in HIV intervention research from 2015 to 2024 using bibliometric methods. The study aims to identify high-impact entities and emerging hotspots, revealing the research dynamics and collaboration characteristics in the field of complex networks and HIV interventions.

Methods

Relevant English literature published between 2015 and 2024 was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection, resulting in a total of 1 068 papers. CiteSpace software was used to construct networks of countries/regions, institutions, authors, and keywords, analyzing global research output, collaboration relationships, and the evolution of research themes.

Results

The research output on complex network technologies in HIV preventive interventions showed a fluctuating upward trend, peaking at 149 papers in 2024. Original research accounted for 93.4%, while reviews made up 6.6%. The United States (586 papers) and China (223 papers) were the leading contributors. South Africa had the highest average citation per paper, at 41.5 citations. The international collaboration network density was 0.103, showing a "core-periphery" structure. Universities like the University of California and Johns Hopkins University were at the core of the collaboration network, with active interdisciplinary collaboration between public health and computer science, advancing directions such as "AI-driven transmission prediction." Burst keyword analysis revealed that research topics shifted from focusing on "antiviral treatment and drug-using populations" (2015-2016), to "high-burden regions and epidemic response" (2016-2018), and then to "behavioral interventions for specific populations and immune network dynamics" (2019-2020). In recent years, the research frontier further developed into "MSM health management", "mental health associations" and "innovations in network analysis methods and cross-disease research" (2021-2024), with "network analysis" (burst strength=5.81) emerging as the most influential new hotspot.

Conclusions

From 2015 to 2024, research on complex network technologies in HIV preventive interventions showed overall growth, with a predominant focus on original research. Knowledge production and collaboration displayed significant centralization and a "core-periphery" pattern. Cross-disciplinary collaboration has driven intelligent methods to become a major growth area, with research topics shifting from individual treatment modeling to population-level interventions and the integration of technological and social perspectives.