Meet PhD Students
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.
Other Students
Gurmu Feyissa Ejeta
Masters in Public Health at LSHTM
He is doing online learning courses for his Master’s in Public Health. He is in the last year of his academic career
Dr. Haleluya Leulseged
MSc. Clinical Trial at LSHTM
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.
Yasir Y. Abdullahi
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) at LSHTM
Yasir Y. Abdullahi, a Doctor of Public Health student at LSHTM, focuses on Nutritional Policy Analysis, especially its implementation and the burden of Micronutrient deficiency in pregnant women.
He is embarking on an Organizational Policy Analysis (OPA) at Harari Peoples Regional State, examining the multisectoral coordination and governance of the National Nutritional Program of Ethiopia. This qualitative study (OPA) is expected to determine the factors that could inhibit or influence policy program cascading and implementation from the national to regional level.
In addition to this OPA, he will do his DrPH thesis 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. It will integrate and utilize the existing pregnancy surveillance platform in recruiting mothers with early pregnancy to follow their nutritional consumption adequacy and the burden of multiple micronutrient deficiencies.