Lemma Demissie Regassa
Infectious Disease Epidemiology
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine | LSHTM
Epidemiology of meningococcal carriage and seroepidemiology of antibodies against serogroups A and X among residents living in two sites in Ethiopia to advance the routine introduction of conjugate meningococcal vaccines.
The study can provide valuable information on the epidemiology of N. meningitidis in countries with limited resources and a weak meningococcal surveillance system, such as Ethiopia, by identifying both the serogroup distribution and the age ranges with higher carriage prevalence that could be targeted for vaccination against meningococcal disease and to evaluate the impact of existing vaccination strategies in Ethiopia. Furthermore, since the prevalence will be evaluated based on different risk factors, including age, it will help in selecting and introducing appropriate strategies for developing future vaccination strategies of newly licensed pentavalent vaccination against meningococcal serogroup A, C, X, W and Y.
Dr. Yunus Edris Kelil
Infectious Disease Epidemiology
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine | LSHTM
Clinical epidemiology of serious bacterial infections (SBI) in children aged <5 years admitted to Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, eastern Ethiopia.
According to the World Health Organization, SBI is the leading cause of mortality among children aged <5 years, with a case fatality risk ranging from 14% to 32%. The majority of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa due to delayed presentation, lack of diagnostic facilities, effective antibiotics, and clinical expertise.
Expected outcome:
A comprehensive analysis of SBI will support improved diagnosis and aetiology-based management of SBI cases and SBI prevention strategies in this area with high child mortality, high background malnutrition and little existing data.
Ketema Degefa
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Between biomedicine and culture: the role of malnutrition in child mortality in Ethiopia
The project explores how social determinants are central to understanding child malnutrition. The findings will be used as input for nutrition intervention activities and a plan to reduce malnutrition and the associated child mortality. The study anticipates that the project will produce original scientific results and substantially contribute to science and health.
Hiwot Yigzaw Bizuayehu
Epidemiology and population health
London school of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Pneumococcal Carriage Studies to Estimate the Impact of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Ethiopia.
As PCVs have been given since 2011 up to date in Ethiopia, the study will determine
The vaccine effectiveness against carriage (direct and indirect effects), which can be used as a proxy for Pneumococcal disease occurrence and transmission.
The common serotypes of the bacteria circulating after PCV introduction that may cause pneumococcal disease, which enables different immunization stakeholders like National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) to consider the vaccine valences.
A modeled prediction of pneumococcal disease burden and, therefore, evaluations of PCVs impact in Ethiopia and policy decisions on dosing and product by different immunization stakeholders like WHO/UNICEF.
Yohanis Alemeshet
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine LSHTM
Causes and risk factors of perinatal mortality and implications for action in Eastern Ethiopia (2018-2022)
This project investigates perinatal mortality in Eastern Africa, particularly in Eastern Ethiopia, using published and unpublished studies and data from CHAMPS, HDSS, and Ethiopian Meteorological Agency. The study aims to uncover the true burden, causal pathway, and risk factors of perinatal mortality by using a record linkage method. This valuable insight will assist policymakers and program planners in addressing the leading causes of perinatal mortality at various levels.
Helina Heluf Gebrekidan
Infectious Disease Epidemiology
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine | LSHTM
Understanding neural tube defects in eastern Ethiopia; burden, determinants, feasibility and acceptability of a future national mandatory food fortification program to prevent neural tube defects.
The study is aimed to understand the burden of neural tube defects at population level in eastern Ethiopia and its determinants in a comprehensive manner. The findings of this study will help to develop a strategy to reduce neural tube defects in Ethiopia through a mandatory food fortification programs, a work which was initiated by EPHI and MOH.
Dr. Haleluya Leulseged
Infectious Disease Epidemiology at LSHTM
Dr. Haleluya is a highly skilled medical doctor and researcher with an exceptional trajectory in clinical practice and academic pursuits. Graduating with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Haramaya University, Ethiopia, Dr. Haleluya furthered his education with a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology from the same institution.
Building upon his foundational knowledge, he pursued a Master of Science (MSc) in Clinical Trials at the prestigious London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), demonstrating his commitment to advancing healthcare through rigorous research methodologies.
Throughout his career, Dr. Haleluya has been deeply engaged in impactful international research, notably serving as the Research Program Coordinator at Haramaya University’s Hararge Health Research Partnership (HHR). His contributions to the field have been recognized through notable publications in esteemed journals such as The Lancet Global Health and eClinicalMedicine, and presented at prestigious conferences like ASTMH, WFPHA, and ISPPD, addressing critical issues in child mortality and healthcare delivery in low-resource settings.
Driven by a passion for improving healthcare outcomes, Dr. Haleluya is currently embarking on his Ph.D. journey focusing on clinical trial and neonatal biomarker study as part of the EChiLiBRiST project, funded by the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Program. This pioneering project, led by the Barcelona Institute of Global Health (ISGlobal), aims to revolutionize the management of pediatric febrile illnesses in low-income countries, with a focus on reducing child mortality through the development and validation of novel biomarker-based strategies.
As a key member of the EChiLiBRiST project, Dr. Haleluya’s expertise in clinical research and epidemiology positions him as a valuable asset in the selection and training of Ph.D. students, contributing to research capacity building in Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Gabon. His academic background, coupled with practical experience in research coordination and volunteer service, reflects a holistic approach to addressing global health challenges.
Dr. Haleluya’s Ph.D. journey will be undertaken at LSHTM, under the mentorship of Dr. Lola Madrid, Professor Nega Assefa, and Dr. Charles Opondo, leveraging his expertise in neonatal biomarker research to advance the project’s objectives. Dr. Haleluya embodies a commitment to driving positive change in healthcare delivery, ultimately saving lives and conserving resources in resource-limited settings.
For further inquiries, please contact Dr. Haleluya at echilibrist@isglobal.org and Haleluya.Kassaye@lshtm.ac.uk.
Yasir Y. Abdullahi
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) at LSHTM
Yasir Y. Abdullahi, a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) student at LSHTM, focuses on Nutritional Policy Analysis, especially its implementation and the burden of Micronutrient deficiency in pregnant women and dietary intake optimization. Yasir did an Organizational Policy Analysis (OPA) at Harari Peoples Regional State, examining the multi-sectoral coordination and governance of the National Nutritional Program of Ethiopia and identifying which factors facilitated or inhibited its implementation, guided by an implementation framework. The OPA is the first Research Study (RSI) that equips DrPHers with hands-on, real-life policy analysis skills in the real world.
In addition to this OPA, he will do his DrPH thesis or his second Research Study two (RSII) by studying and involving with the ARM-CHAMPS project, which will prospectively assess the burden of micronutrient deficiencies in pregnant women and its link to adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. ARM-CHAMPS is a new pilot project of CHAMPS. For his RSII study, Yasir will estimate dietary inadequacies of essential micronutrients among pregnant women, their variation across trimesters, and ways to optimize their intakes using locally available foods using mathematical modelling. His findings are expected to contribute immensely to influencing Ethiopian nutrition policy.