title: [Co-authorship research networks in public health in Santander].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although a good deal of research in public health has been performed, large inequalities still exist in health. It is necessary to know how knowledge is generated and disseminated to the public in order for research to reach decision-makers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize public health research networks in Santander, Colombia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of social networks based on co-authorship of scientific publications by researchers living in Santander in 2012. Researchers were identified using a "snowball" technique. The publications search was conducted using national and international databases. The density and average geodesic distance of networks were calculated, as was the size, pairs, brokers and homophily of egocentric networks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 531 researchers. Most worked in epidemiology (77.59%), and in more than one thematic field. The network density was 0.0058 and the average geodesic distance was 4.418. Several indicators suggested that the most cohesive egocentric networks were those in which researches investigated more than in one knowledge area or in epidemiology. Homophily was lower for health systems, biostatistics and social and behavioral sciences, as well as private hospitals and the public university.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The network structure suggests a growth phase in research and a predominance of epidemiology. Other public health areas need strengthening so as to better address the health needs of the state.
authors: Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia, Floridablanca, Colombia.
authors: Néstor F
authors: NF
authors: Naranjo-Estupiñán
authors: Red Latinoamericana de Salud Ambiental Infantil, SAMBI, Equipo Bucaramanga, Bucaramanga, Colombia.
authors: Query J
authors: QJ
authors: Mora
authors: Unidad de Salud Medioambiental Pediátrica, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, España.
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Jaimes-Vega
authors: Departamento de Salud Pública, Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia.
authors: Álvaro J
authors: ÁJ
authors: Idrovo
mesh_terms: D001319:Authorship; D015706:Bibliometrics; D056808:Biostatistics; D003105:Colombia; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004782:Environmental Health / Q000458:organization & administration; D004813:Epidemiology / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011634:Public Health; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000458:organization & administration*; D060756:Social Networking; D012942:Social Sciences