Teaching Strengths
Dr Engida Derbie
NHMRC Grant-Funded Research Fellow
School of Public Health
College of Health
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD (as Co-Supervisor) - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Dr Engida Yisma Derbie is a Research Fellow at Adelaide University with expertise in epidemiology. His research spans perinatal and paediatric health, reproductive health, rural health, mental health, injury prevention, as well as the rural health workforce development and challenges.
As a graduate of the University of Adelaide, Engida leads research that contributes to improving health outcomes and equity across diverse populations. He consistently publishes under the name ENGIDA YISMA.
He has authored over 49 peer-reviewed publications in high-quality journals. His work has been cited more than 35,000 times, achieving an h-index of 29 (Scopus). He is also a contributing author to a Springer-published academic textbook on global women's sexual and reproductive health. His research has attracted national media attention, including coverage in The Australian, reflecting its practical significance and societal impact.
His research is strengthened by collaborations with government and non-government organisations. These include the Yorke and Northern Local Health Network (for Mental Health Service evaluation), Country SA PHN (for evaluation and evidence-based resource (visual tool) development), and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (for Rural and Remote Health Research). He has also partnered with Centacare Catholic Country SA to evaluate employment support programs and with the Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research, a WHO Collaborating Centre, on global sexual and reproductive health trainings. Earlier in his career, in 2013, he worked with JSI L10K Research and Training Institute and Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia on Sexual and Reproductive Health projects.
He has received several competitive awards, including the Amref Health Africa Young Researcher Award (Kenya), the Société Coopérative Médicale de Beaulieu Scholarship (Switzerland), and the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship.
My research applies advanced quantitative methods to national and linked administrative datasets to evaluate populaion health, guide policy development, and support strategic health system planning.
My key research areas include:
- Perinatal and paediatric health
- Reproductive and sexual health
- Mental health interventions and service evaluation
- Rural and remote health equity
- Injury prevention and public health safety
- Health workforce and capacity building
- Health service evaluation and policy development
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 - ongoing | Research Fellow | University of Adelaide |
| 2024 - 2025 | Research Fellow | University of South Australia |
| 2021 - 2023 | Postdoctoral Researcher | University of South Australia |
| Date | Type | Title | Institution Name | Country | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Scholarship | Flinders University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship | Flinders University | Australia | Offered |
| 2017 | Scholarship | Research Training Program Scholarship | The University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| 2017 | Scholarship | The University of Newcastle International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (UNIPRS) and the University of Newcastle Research Scholarship Central (UNRSC) Scholarship | The University of Newcastle | Australia | offered |
| 2015 | Scholarship | Société coopérative médicale de Beaulieu scholarship, | Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research | Switzerland | - |
| 2014 | Research Award | Amref Health Africa Young Researcher Scholarships Award | Amref Health Africa | Kenya | - |
| 2010 | Scholarship | Samara University Postgraduate Scholarship | Samara University | Ethiopia | - |
| Language | Competency |
|---|---|
| Amharic | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| English | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Oromo | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 - 2020 | University of Adelaide | Australia | PhD |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Yisma, E., Mol, B., Lynch, J., & Smithers, L. (2019). THE IMPACT OF CAESAREAN SECTION ON BREASTFEEDING INDICATORS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: A META-ANALYSIS OF DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEYS. In JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH Vol. 73 (pp. A49). BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP. DOI |
| 2019 | Yisma, E., Mol, B., Lynch, J., & Smithers, L. (2019). INTERPRETING THE CHANGING ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CAESAREAN BIRTH AND NEONATAL DEATH: A CASE STUDY FROM ETHIOPIA. In JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH Vol. 73 (pp. A109). BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP. DOI |
| 2017 | Abebe, Y., Dida, T., Silvestri, D., & Yisma, E. (2017). Analyzing the Emergency Triage Logbook Components of Road Traffic Accident Victims at AaBET Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In 8th Annual CUGH Conference. DOI |
| 2017 | Eshetu, N., Ly, S., & Yisma, E. (2017). Knowledge and Attitude of Women Aged 30-49 Years towards Menopause in Gulele Sub-City of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In 8th Annual CUGH Conference. DOI |
| 2016 | Nigussie, S., Yisma, E., Biza, N., Bacha, Y., Etefa, W., & Melese, B. (2016). Population based survey of chronic non-communicable diseases in Dubti and Asayita towns of Afar region, Northeastern Ethiopia. In 7th Annual CUGH Conference:. DOI |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Yisma, E., Ben, M., Lynch, J., & Smithers, L. (2019). Impact of caesarean section on breastfeeding indicators in sub-Saharan Africa: A meta-analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys. Poster session presented at the meeting of APHA's 2019 Annual Meeting and Expo. |
| 2019 | Yisma, E., Mol, B., Lynch, J., & Smithers, L. (2019). The changing temporal association between caesarean birth and neonatal death in Ethiopia.. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australian Public Health Conference. |
| 2014 | Yisma, E., Dessalegn, B., Astatkie, A., & Fesseha, N. (2014). Completion of the modified World Health Organization (WHO) partograph during labour in public health institutions of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Poster session presented at the meeting of x. x. |
| 2014 | Yisma, E., Dessalegn, B., Astatkie, A., & Fesseha, N. (2014). Knowledge and utilization of partograph among obstetric care givers in public health institutions of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Poster session presented at the meeting of The 1st Amref Health Africa International conference. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Yisma, E. (2020). Obstetrical interventions during labour and birth: an examination of effects on breastfeeding, neonatal mortality and children’s educational outcomes. (PhD Thesis, The University of Adelaide). |
| 2012 | Yisma, E. (2012). Knowledge and utilization of partograph among obstetric care givers in public health institutions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Master's Thesis, Addis Ababa University). |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Puah, L. S., Gillam, M., Jones, M., & Yisma, E. (2025). Supporting health students on rural placement to get to know their community. DOI |
| 2025 | Yisma, E., Muyambi, K., Othman, S., Walsh, S., Bressington, D., Steen, M., . . . Jones, M. (2025). Efficacy of behavioural activation in treating prenatal depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. DOI |
| 2023 | Walsh, S., Yisma, E., Hillier, S., Gillam, M., Gray, R., & Jones, M. (2023). Effect of behavioural activation for individuals with post-stroke depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. DOI |
| Duration of grant | Investigators | Project title | Funding body | Amount awarded | Role |
| 2024-2025 | Yisma, Gillam, Walsh, Puah, Jones | Effects of Mental Health Alternative Care Service on rates of regional emergency department presentations: interrupted time series analysis | Yorke and Northern Local Health Network Incorporated | $32,550 | CIA |
| 2022-2023 | Jones, Yisma, Gillam, Walsh, Puah | Evidenced based analysis, structured approach and assistive resources for use and application by Country SA PHN | Country SA PHN | $60,000 | CI |
| 2019-2022 | Eguale, Amogne, Medhin, Bizuwork, Alemayehu, Yisma | Urinary tract infection among pregnant women in selected public health institutions of central Ethiopia | Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia) | $75,900 | CI |
| 2019 | Yisma | The changing temporal association between caesarean birth and neonatal death in Ethiopia: secondary analysis of nationally representative surveys | School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide Research publication grant | $2,700 | CIA |
| 2014-2015 | Nigussie, Yisma, Biza, Bacha, Etefa, Melese | Population based survey of chronic non-communicable diseases in Afar region in North-eastern Ethiopia | Samara University (Ethiopia) | $9,000 | CI |
| 2013-2014 | Yisma, Nigussie, Biza, Bacha, Etefa, Melese | Predictors of safe delivery service utilisation in Afar region in North-eastern Ethiopia | Samara University (Ethiopia) | $2,900 | CIA |
| 2012 | Yisma | Knowledge and utilization of partograph among obstetrics care givers in public health institutions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | World Health Organisation | $2,600 | CIA |
My teaching interests lie in epidemiology and research methodology.
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Co-Supervisor | Assessing healthcare provider preparedness and systemic factors in addressing intimate partner violence (IPV) in Pakistan: A mixed-methods evaluation | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Dr Shafaq Mahmood |
| 2025 | Co-Supervisor | Assessing healthcare provider preparedness and systemic factors in addressing intimate partner violence (IPV) in Pakistan: A mixed-methods evaluation | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Dr Shafaq Mahmood |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Location | Program | Supervision Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 - ongoing | Co-Supervisor | Prevalence and factors associated with the use of artificial sweeteners in non-pregnant non-lactating women aged 15 - 49 years | Adelaide University | - | Master | - | Ms Saima Shaukat Ali |
| Date | Role | Board name | Institution name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 - 2017 | Member | College of Health Sciences Institutional Ethics Review | Addis Ababa University | Ethiopia |
| Date | Role | Membership | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 - ongoing | Member | Health in Preconception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Early and Mid-career Researcher Collective (HiPPP EMR-C) | Australia |
| 2025 - ongoing | Member | Public Health Association of Australia | Australia |
| 2025 - ongoing | Member | Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA) | Australia |
| 2018 - ongoing | Member | American Public Health Association | United States |
| 2016 - ongoing | Member | Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research | Switzerland |
| 2015 - ongoing | Member | Ethiopian Statistical Association | Ethiopia |
| 2014 - ongoing | Member | Ethiopian Public Health Association | Ethiopia |
| Date | Role | Editorial Board Name | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 - ongoing | Member | BMC Public Health | BioMed Central | United Kingdom |
| Date | Title | Type | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 - ongoing | Associate Editor | Editorial | Reproductive Health | United Kingdom |
Available For Media Comment.