Engida Derbie

Engida Derbie

School of Public Health

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD (as Co-Supervisor) - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Dr Engida Yisma Derbie is a Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide with expertise in epidemiology. His research spans perinatal and paediatric health, reproductive health, rural health, mental health, injury prevention, and the health workforce.

A graduate of the University of Adelaide, Engida leads research that contributes to improving health outcomes and equity across diverse populations. He publishes under the name Engida Yisma.

He has authored over 45 peer-reviewed publications in high-quality journals. His work has been cited more than 35,000 times, with a 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 (mental health service evaluation), Country SA PHN (evaluation and evidence-based resource (visual tool) development), and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (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 initiatives. Earlier in his career, he worked with JSI Research and Training Institute and Amref Health Africa (in Ethiopia) on maternal 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

  • Appointments
    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

  • Awards and Achievements
    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 Competencies
    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

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2017 - 2020 University of Adelaide Australia PhD

  • Research Interests
    Epidemiology Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine Paediatrics Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine Public Health Child and Adolescent Health Fertility and Conception Pregnancy and Birth

  • Journals
    Year Citation
    2025 Yisma, E., Jones, M., Pauh, L. S., Walsh, S., Jones, S., May, E., & Gillam, M. (2025). Impact of rurality on health care utilization among Australian residents from 2009 to 2021. Journal of Rural Health, 41(2), 10 pages.
    DOI Europe PMC1
    2025 Yisma, E., Muyambi, K., Walsh, S., Othman, S., Gray, R., Tan, K. L., . . . Jones, M. (2025). Efficacy and safety of behavioural activation on depression in people with co-occurring non-communicable diseases: systematic review and meta-analysis. Bjpsych Open, 11(2), 12 pages.
    DOI
    2024 Gebremedhin, K. B., Yisma, E., Alemayehu, H., Medhin, G., Belay, G., Bopegamage, S., . . . Eguale, T. (2024). Urinary tract infection among people living with human immunodeficiency virus attending selected hospitals in Addis Ababa and Adama, central Ethiopia. Frontiers in Public Health, 12, 12 pages.
    DOI
    2024 Yisma, E., Walsh, S., Hillier, S., Gillam, M., Gray, R., & Jones, M. (2024). Effect of behavioural activation for individuals with post-stroke depression: systematic review and meta-analysis. Bjpsych Open, 10(5), 10 pages.
    DOI Scopus2 Europe PMC1
    2024 Yisma, E., Walsh, S., Steen, M., Gray, R., Dennis, S., Gillam, M., . . . Jones, M. (2024). Effect of Behavioral Activation for Women with Postnatal Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nursing Reports, 14(1), 78-88.
    DOI Scopus1 Europe PMC2
    2023 Yisma, E., Versace, V. L., Jones, M., Walsh, S., Jones, S., May, E., . . . Gillam, M. (2023). The distribution of registered occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and podiatrists in Australia. PLoS ONE, 18(9 September), 14 pages.
    DOI Scopus6 Europe PMC5
    2023 Puah, L. S., Gillam, M., Walsh, S., Jones, M., & Yisma, E. (2023). Do undertaking rural placements and place of origin inform where allied health graduates work in South Australia?. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 31(3), 575-579.
    DOI Scopus3 Europe PMC2
    2022 Muyambi, K., Gardiner, F., Sollid, S., Hyldmo, P. K., Yisma, E., Spring, B., . . . Gillam, M. (2022). Aeromedical retrieval services characteristics globally: a scoping review. Scandinavian Journal of Trauma Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, 30(1), 11 pages.
    DOI Scopus6 Europe PMC4
    2021 Yisma, E., Mol, B. W., Lynch, J. W., Mittinty, M. N., & Smithers, L. G. (2021). EDIT Associations between Apgar scores and children's educational outcomes at eight years of age. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 61(1), 35-41.
    DOI Scopus6 WoS1 Europe PMC4
    2021 Yisma, E., Mol, B. W., Lynch, J. W., Mittinty, M. N., & Smithers, L. G. (2021). Elective labor induction vs expectant management in women and children's educational outcomes at 8 years of age. Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 58(1), 99-104.
    DOI Scopus7 WoS4 Europe PMC6
    2021 Yisma, E., Gillam, M., Versace, V. L., Jones, S., Walsh, S., May, E., & Jones, M. (2021). Geographical distribution of 3 allied health professions in South Australia: A summary of access and disadvantage. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 29(5), 721-728.
    DOI Scopus11 Europe PMC7
    2020 Hassam, T., Kelso, E., Chowdary, P., Yisma, E., Mol, B. W., & Han, A. (2020). Sexual assault as a risk factor for gynaecological morbidity: An exploratory systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 255, 222-230.
    DOI Scopus26 WoS14 Europe PMC11
    2020 James, S. L., Lucchesi, L. R., Bisignano, C., Castle, C. D., Dingels, Z. V., Fox, J. T., . . . Schwebel, D. C. (2020). Epidemiology of injuries from fire, heat and hot substances: Global, regional and national morbidity and mortality estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 study. Injury Prevention, 26(Suppl 2), i36-i45.
    DOI Scopus147 WoS64 Europe PMC79
    2020 Graetz, N., Woyczynski, L., Wilson, K. F., Hall, J. B., Abate, K. H., Abd-Allah, F., . . . Henok, A. (2020). Mapping disparities in education across low- and middle-income countries. Nature, 577(7789), 235-250.
    DOI Scopus82 WoS61 Europe PMC56
    2020 Haagsma, J. A., James, S. L., Castle, C. D., Dingels, Z. V., Fox, J. T., Hamilton, E. B., . . . Vos, T. (2020). Burden of injury along the development spectrum: associations between the Socio-demographic Index and disability-adjusted life year estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.. Inj Prev, 26(SUPP_1), 1-15.
    DOI Scopus57 WoS35 Europe PMC52
    2020 Kinyoki, D. K., Osgood-Zimmerman, A. E., Pickering, B. V., Schaeffer, L. E., Marczak, L. B., Lazzar-Atwood, A., . . . Hamidi, S. (2020). Mapping child growth failure across low- and middle-income countries. Nature, 577(7789), 231-234.
    DOI Scopus142 WoS85 Europe PMC112
    2020 Gill, T. K., Derbie, E., & Olagunju, A. (2020). Global and regional burden of disease and injury in 2016 arising from occupational exposures: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 77(3), 133-141.
    DOI Scopus80 WoS31 Europe PMC53
    2020 James, S. L., Castle, C. D., Dingels, Z. V., Fox, J. T., Hamilton, E. B., Liu, Z., . . . Vos, T. (2020). Global injury morbidity and mortality from 1990 to 2017: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.. Inj Prev, 26(1), 19 pages.
    DOI Scopus138 WoS5 Europe PMC98
    2020 Reiner, R. C., Wiens, K. E., Deshpande, A., Baumann, M. M., Lindstedt, P. A., Blacker, B. F., . . . Bekele, Y. A. (2020). Mapping geographical inequalities in childhood diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000-17: Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet, 395(10239), 1779-1801.
    DOI Scopus88 WoS52 Europe PMC73
    2020 Reiner, R., Wiens, K., Deshpande, A., Baumann, M., Lindstedt, P., Blacker, B., . . . Bell, M. (2020). Department of Error: Mapping geographical inequalities in childhood diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–17: analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 (The Lancet (2020) 395(10239) (1779–1801), (S0140673620301148), (10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30114-8)). The Lancet, 395(10239), 1762.
    DOI Scopus1
    2020 James, S. L., Castle, C. D., Dingels, Z. V., Fox, J. T., Hamilton, E. B., Liu, Z., . . . Vos, T. (2020). Estimating global injuries morbidity and mortality: methods and data used in the Global Burden of Disease 2017 study.. Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention, 26(1), i125-i153.
    DOI Scopus63 WoS41 Europe PMC43
    2020 Deshpande, A., Miller-Petrie, M. K., Lindstedt, P. A., Baumann, M. M., Johnson, K. B., Blacker, B. F., . . . Behzadifar, M. (2020). Mapping geographical inequalities in access to drinking water and sanitation facilities in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–17. The Lancet Global Health, 8(9), e1162-e1185.
    DOI Scopus112 WoS62 Europe PMC72
    2019 Yisma, E., Smithers, L., Lynch, J., & Mol, B. (2019). Cesarean section in Ethiopia: prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics. Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, 32(7), 1130-1135.
    DOI Scopus31 WoS27 Europe PMC35
    2019 Yisma, E., Mol, B. W., Lynch, J. W., & Smithers, L. G. (2019). Impact of caesarean section on breastfeeding indicators: Within-country and meta-analyses of nationally representative data from 33 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. BMJ Open, 9(9), e027497.
    DOI Scopus19 WoS13 Europe PMC13
    2019 Yisma, E., Mol, B. W., Lynch, J. W., & Smithers, L. G. (2019). The changing temporal association between caesarean birth and neonatal death in Ethiopia: secondary analysis of nationally representative surveys.. BMJ Open, 9(10), e027235.
    DOI Scopus5 WoS4 Europe PMC5
    2019 Safiri, S., Sepanlou, S. G., Ikuta, K. S., Bisignano, C., Salimzadeh, H., Delavari, A., . . . Yisma, E. (2019). The global, regional, and national burden of colorectal cancer and its attributable risk factors in 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 4(12), 913-933.
    DOI Scopus323 WoS219 Europe PMC235
    2019 James, S. L., Theadom, A., Ellenbogen, R. G., Bannick, M. S., Montjoy-Venning, W., Lucchesi, L. R., . . . Azzopardi, P. S. (2019). Global, regional, and national burden of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. The Lancet Neurology, 18(1), 56-87.
    DOI Scopus1392 WoS1643 Europe PMC987
    2019 Orpana, H., Marczak, L., Arora, M., Abbasi, N., Abdulkader, R., Abebe, Z., . . . Jha, R. (2019). Global, regional, and national burden of suicide mortality 1990 to 2016: Systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. BMJ (Online), 364(1), 11 pages.
    DOI Scopus201 WoS1918 Europe PMC412
    2019 Feigin, V. L., Nichols, E., Alam, T., Bannick, M. S., Beghi, E., Blake, N., . . . Noubiap Nzeale, J. J. (2019). Global, regional, and national burden of neurological disorders, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. The Lancet Neurology, 18(5), 459-480.
    DOI Scopus3472 WoS1643 Europe PMC2392
    2018 Roth, G. A., Abate, D., Abate, K. H., Abay, S. M., Abbafati, C., Abbasi, N., . . . Badawi, A. (2018). Erratum: Global, regional, and national age-sex-specific mortality for 282 causes of death in 195 countries and territories, 1980–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 (The Lancet (2018) 392(10159) (1736–1788)(S0140673618322037)(10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32203-7)). Lancet, 392(10160), 2170.
    DOI Scopus10 WoS7
    2018 Gebremedhin, K. B., Tian, B., Tang, C., Zhang, X., Yisma, E., & Wang, H. (2018). Factors associated with acceptance of provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Patient Preference and Adherence, 12, 183-191.
    DOI Scopus18 WoS10 Europe PMC17
    2018 Ekubay, M., Berhe, A., & Yisma, E. (2018). Initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth among mothers with infants younger than or equal to 6 months of age attending public health institutions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. International Breastfeeding Journal, 13(1), 7 pages.
    DOI Scopus47 WoS27 Europe PMC42
    2018 Abebe, Y., Dida, T., Yisma, E., & Silvestri, D. M. (2018). Ambulance use is not associated with patient acuity after road traffic collisions: A cross-sectional study from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. BMC Emergency Medicine, 18(1), 8 pages.
    DOI Scopus14 WoS11 Europe PMC8
    2018 Griswold, M. G., Fullman, N., Hawley, C., Arian, N., Zimsen, S. R. M., Tymeson, H. D., . . . Ciobanu, L. (2018). Alcohol use and burden for 195 countries and territories, 1990-2016: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. The Lancet, 392(10152), 1015-1035.
    DOI Scopus2511 WoS415 Europe PMC1687
    2018 Roth, G. A., Abate, D., Abate, K. H., Abay, S. M., Abbafati, C., Abbasi, N., . . . Badawi, A. (2018). Global, regional, and national age-sex-specific mortality for 282 causes of death in 195 countries and territories, 1980–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet, 392(10159), 1736-1788.
    DOI Scopus5990 WoS4704 Europe PMC4244
    2018 Lozano, R., Fullman, N., Abate, D., Abay, S. M., Abbafati, C., Abbasi, N., . . . Appiah, L. T. (2018). Measuring progress from 1990 to 2017 and projecting attainment to 2030 of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals for 195 countries and territories: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet, 392(10159), 2091-2138.
    DOI Scopus379 WoS290 Europe PMC259
    2018 Dicker, D., Nguyen, G., Abate, D., Abate, K. H., Abay, S. M., Abbafati, C., . . . Opio, J. (2018). Global, regional, and national age-sex-specific mortality and life expectancy, 1950-2017: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet, 392(10159), 1684-1735.
    DOI Scopus749 WoS513 Europe PMC542
    2018 Stanaway, J. D., Afshin, A., Gakidou, E., Lim, S. S., Abate, D., Abate, K. H., . . . Gill, T. (2018). Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990-2017: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet, 392(10159), 1923-1994.
    DOI Scopus3863 WoS2578 Europe PMC2530
    2018 James, S. L., Abate, D., Abate, K. H., Abay, S. M., Abbafati, C., Abbasi, N., . . . Olagunju, A. (2018). Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 354 Diseases and Injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1990-2017: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet, 392(10159), 1789-1858.
    DOI Scopus10407 WoS4570 Europe PMC7320
    2018 Kyu, H. H., Abate, D., Abate, K. H., Abay, S. M., Abbafati, C., Abbasi, N., . . . Noubiap Nzeale, J. (2018). Global, regional, and national disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 359 diseases and injuries and healthy life expectancy (HALE) for 195 countries and territories, 1990-2017: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet, 392(10159), 1859-1922.
    DOI Scopus2432 WoS1093 Europe PMC1782
    2018 Murray, C. J. L., Callender, C. S. K. H., Kulikoff, X. R., Srinivasan, V., Abate, D., Abate, K. H., . . . Atique, S. (2018). Population and fertility by age and sex for 195 countries and territories, 1950–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet, 392(10159), 1995-2051.
    DOI Scopus356 WoS543 Europe PMC247
    2017 Yisma, E., Eshetu, N., Ly, S., & Dessalegn, B. (2017). Prevalence and severity of menopause symptoms among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women aged 30-49 years in Gulele sub-city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. BMC Women S Health, 17(1), 124.
    DOI Scopus39 WoS20 Europe PMC25
    2016 Bogale, T., Engidawork, E., & Yisma, E. (2016). Subchronic oral administration of crude khat extract (Catha edulis forsk) induces schizophernic-like symptoms in mice. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 16(1), 11 pages.
    DOI Scopus16 WoS14 Europe PMC12
    2015 Seid, M., Azazh, A., Enquselassie, F., & Yisma, E. (2015). Injury characteristics and outcome of road traffic accident among victims at Adult Emergency Department of Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A prospective hospital based study. BMC Emergency Medicine, 15(1), 9 pages.
    DOI Scopus75 Europe PMC56
    2013 Yisma, E., Dessalegn, B., Astatkie, A., & Fesseha, N. (2013). Completion of the modified World Health Organization (WHO) partograph during labour in public health institutions of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Reproductive Health, 10(1), 7 pages.
    DOI Scopus38 WoS41 Europe PMC37
    2013 Yisma, E., Dessalegn, B., Astatkie, A., & Fesseha, N. (2013). Knowledge and utilization of partograph among obstetric care givers in public health institutions of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 13(1), 9 pages.
    DOI Scopus54 WoS48 Europe PMC48

  • Book Chapters
    Year Citation
    2017 Yisma, E., & Ly, S. (2017). Menopause: A contextualized experience across social structures. In Global Perspectives on Women S Sexual and Reproductive Health Across the Lifecourse (pp. 391-409). Springer International Publishing.
    DOI Scopus2

  • Conference Items
    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. Poster session presented at the meeting of JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH. 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. Poster session presented at the meeting of JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH. BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP.
    DOI
    2016 Nigussie, S., Yisma, E., Beza, 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. Poster session presented at the meeting of Seventh Annual CUGH Conference.

  • Report for External Bodies
    Year Citation
    2021 Muyambi, K., Walsh, S., Derbie, E., Cobb, S., Gillam, M., & Jones, M. (2021). Evaluation of the Integrated Primary Health Care Service (IPHCS) program: evaluation report.
    2021 Muyambi, K., Walsh, W., Gillam, M., Carter, M., Yisma, E., Sidwell, S., & Jones, M. (2021). Building bridges to sustainable employment: evaluation report.

  • Theses
    Year Citation
    2020 Derbie, E. Y. (2020). Obstetrical interventions during labour and birth: an examination of effects on breastfeeding, neonatal mortality and children’s educational outcomes. (PhD Thesis).

  • Preprint
    Year Citation
    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.

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