
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
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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
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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.
Europe PMC12025 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.
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.
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.
Scopus2 Europe PMC12024 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.
Scopus1 Europe PMC22023 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.
Scopus6 Europe PMC52023 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.
Scopus3 Europe PMC22022 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.
Scopus6 Europe PMC42021 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.
Scopus6 WoS1 Europe PMC42021 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.
Scopus7 WoS4 Europe PMC62021 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.
Scopus11 Europe PMC72020 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.
Scopus26 WoS14 Europe PMC112020 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.
Scopus147 WoS64 Europe PMC792020 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.
Scopus82 WoS61 Europe PMC562020 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.
Scopus57 WoS35 Europe PMC522020 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.
Scopus142 WoS85 Europe PMC1122020 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.
Scopus80 WoS31 Europe PMC532020 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.
Scopus138 WoS5 Europe PMC982020 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.
Scopus88 WoS52 Europe PMC732020 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.
Scopus12020 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.
Scopus63 WoS41 Europe PMC432020 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.
Scopus112 WoS62 Europe PMC722019 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.
Scopus31 WoS27 Europe PMC352019 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.
Scopus19 WoS13 Europe PMC132019 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.
Scopus5 WoS4 Europe PMC52019 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.
Scopus323 WoS219 Europe PMC2352019 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.
Scopus1392 WoS1643 Europe PMC9872019 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.
Scopus201 WoS1918 Europe PMC4122019 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.
Scopus3472 WoS1643 Europe PMC23922018 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.
Scopus10 WoS72018 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.
Scopus18 WoS10 Europe PMC172018 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.
Scopus47 WoS27 Europe PMC422018 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.
Scopus14 WoS11 Europe PMC82018 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.
Scopus2511 WoS415 Europe PMC16872018 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.
Scopus5990 WoS4704 Europe PMC42442018 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.
Scopus379 WoS290 Europe PMC2592018 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.
Scopus749 WoS513 Europe PMC5422018 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.
Scopus3863 WoS2578 Europe PMC25302018 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.
Scopus10407 WoS4570 Europe PMC73202018 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.
Scopus2432 WoS1093 Europe PMC17822018 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.
Scopus356 WoS543 Europe PMC2472017 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.
Scopus39 WoS20 Europe PMC252016 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.
Scopus16 WoS14 Europe PMC122015 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.
Scopus75 Europe PMC562013 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.
Scopus38 WoS41 Europe PMC372013 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.
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.
DOI2019 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.
DOI2016 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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Memberships
Date Role Membership Country 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 Ethiopia 2015 - ongoing Member Ethiopian Statistical Association Ethiopia 2014 - ongoing Member Ethiopian Public Health Association Ethiopia -
Editorial Boards
Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country 2024 - ongoing Member BMC Public Health BioMed Central United Kingdom
Connect With Me
External Profiles