Temesgen Akalu

Research Interests

Environmental epidemiology Infectious Diseases Climate change impacts and adaptation Time series and spatial modelling Spatial data and applications Spatial statistics

Teaching Strengths

Epidemiology
Complex database searching
Epidemiological Research Methods
Biostatistics
Research Design

Dr Temesgen Akalu

Grant-Funded Researcher (A)

School of Public Health

College of Health

Available For Media Comment.

I am an epidemiologist with extensive experience in infectious disease epidemiology particularly in drug-resistant tuberculosis in high-burden countries. I specialise in advanced statistical methodologies, including classical and Bayesian approaches, spatial modelling, prediction and machine learning, longitudinal analysis, and a wide range of survival and count data models including Cox regression, parametric survival analysis, frailty and competing-risk models, Poisson and negative binomial regression, and zero-inflated and truncated models. I completed my PhD in Epidemiology at Curtin University in January 2026 and am currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide. During my doctoral training I also served as a research assistant at Curtin University and the Kids Research Institute Australia. I am proficient in STATA and R, with strong experience in data management, analysis, evidence synthesis, scientific writing, and publication in high-impact journals, as well as grant writing and collaborative research across multidisciplinary teams.

My research focuses on the intersection of climate change, infectious diseases, and population health, with a particular emphasis on heat‑related morbidity and mortality, post‑tuberculosis lung disease, and the epidemiology of drug‑resistant TB. I apply advanced statistical modelling, spatial analysis, and longitudinal methods to generate evidence that informs public health policy and strengthens climate‑health adaptation strategies. My work has contributed to global initiatives including the Global Burden of Disease Study and has been cited in policy documents by WHO, the UN, and national agencies. I collaborate closely with government, health departments, and international partners to translate research findings into actionable interventions that protect vulnerable populations and improve health system resilience.

Date Position Institution name
2025 - ongoing Postdoctoroal research fellow University of Adelaide
2024 - 2025 Research Assistant Curtin University
2022 - 2023 Research Assistant The Kids Research Institute Australia
2013 - 2021 Lecturer University of Gondar

Language Competency
English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

Date Institution name Country Title
2021 - 2026 Curtin University Australia PHD
2017 - 2018 University of Gondar Ethiopia Higher degree diploma
2015 - 2017 University of Gondar Ethiopia Master of Public Health
2009 - 2013 Hawassa University Ethiopia BSC degree

Year Citation
2026 Dadi, A. F., Ahmed, K. Y., Wild, K., Akalu, T. Y., Baraki, A. G., Teshale, A. B., . . . Tesema, G. A. (2026). Extent, Timing, and Predisposing Factors of Intimate Partner Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Using Demography Health Surveys From 2015 to 2021. HEALTH SCIENCE REPORTS, 9(4), 11 pages.
DOI
2026 Akalu, T. Y., Borg, M. A., Damtew, Y. T., Heatley, S. L., Beaty, M., Prescott, V., & Bi, P. (2026). Recording and monitoring deaths during heatwaves: a scoping review of mortality attribution and surveillance systems. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 276, 12 pages.
DOI
2025 Akalu, T. Y., Clements, A. C. A., Xu, Z., Bai, L., & Alene, K. A. (2025). Mapping Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes in Hunan Province, China. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 10(1), 15 pages.
DOI Scopus3 WoS2 Europe PMC1
2025 Gilmour, B., Wolde, H. F., Wangdi, K., Restrepo, A. C., Tsheten, T., Kelly, M., . . . Alene, K. A. (2025). Mapping the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections in the Western Pacific Region: a spatial modelling study. Lancet Regional Health Western Pacific, 60, 13 pages.
DOI Scopus8 WoS9
2024 Akalu, T. Y., Clements, A. C. A., Gebreyohannes, E. A., Gilmour, B., & Alene, K. A. (2024). Prevalence of tuberculosis infection among contacts of drug-resistant tuberculosis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Infection, 89(2), 9 pages.
DOI Scopus6 WoS6 Europe PMC3
2024 Gebreyohannes, E. A., Wolde, H. F., Akalu, T. Y., Clements, A. C. A., & Alene, K. A. (2024). Impacts of armed conflicts on tuberculosis burden and treatment outcomes: a systematic review. BMJ Open, 14(3), 9 pages.
DOI Scopus24 WoS21 Europe PMC14
2024 Akalu, T. Y., Clements, A. C. A., Gebreyohannes, E. A., Wolde, H. F., Shiferaw, F. W., & Alene, K. A. (2024). Burden of drug-resistant tuberculosis among contacts of index cases: a protocol for a systematic review. BMJ Open, 14(1, article no. e074364), 1-5.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2024 Akalu, T. Y., Clements, A. C. A., Gebreyohannes, E. A., Xu, Z., Bai, L., & Alene, K. A. (2024). Risk factors for diagnosis and treatment delay among patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Hunan Province, China. BMC Infectious Diseases, 24(1), 11 pages.
DOI Scopus10 WoS9 Europe PMC12
2024 Akalu, T. Y., Clements, A. C. A., Liyew, A. M., Gilmour, B., Murray, M. B., & Alene, K. A. (2024). Risk factors associated with post-tuberculosis sequelae: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eclinicalmedicine, 77, 17 pages.
DOI Scopus30 WoS25
2024 Akalu, T. Y., Clements, A. C. A., Xu, Z., Bai, L., & Alene, K. A. (2024). Predictors of poor treatment outcomes among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients in Hunan province, China. Heliyon, 10(23), 8 pages.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2
2024 Liyew, A. M., Clements, A. C. A., Akalu, T. Y., Gilmour, B., & Alene, K. A. (2024). Ecological-level factors associated with tuberculosis incidence and mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Plos Global Public Health, 4(10), 22 pages.
DOI Scopus22 WoS16
2024 Akalu, T. Y., Clements, A. C. A., Xu, Z., Bai, L., & Alene, K. A. (2024). Determinants of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Hunan province, China: a case-control study. BMC Infectious Diseases, 24(1), 8 pages.
DOI Scopus8 WoS6 Europe PMC6
2023 Ahmed, K. Y., Dadi, A. F., Ogbo, F. A., Page, A., Agho, K. E., Akalu, T. Y., . . . Ross, A. G. (2023). Population-Modifiable Risk Factors Associated with Childhood Stunting in Sub-Saharan Africa. JAMA Network Open, 6(10), e2338321.
DOI Scopus24 WoS20 Europe PMC17
2023 Akalu, T. Y., Clements, A. C. A., Baraki, A. G., & Alene, K. A. (2023). Protocol for a systematic review of long-term physical sequelae and financial burden of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. PLOS ONE, 18(5), 7 pages.
DOI
2023 Akalu, T. Y., Clements, A. C. A., Wolde, H. F., & Alene, K. A. (2023). Prevalence of long-term physical sequelae among patients treated with multi-drug and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eclinicalmedicine, 57, 20 pages.
DOI Scopus22 WoS20 Europe PMC17
2023 Akalu, T. Y., Clements, A. C. A., Wolde, H. F., & Alene, K. A. (2023). Economic burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis on patients and households: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 11 pages.
DOI Scopus51 WoS39 Europe PMC34
2023 Anley, D. T., Akalu, T. Y., Dessie, A. M., Anteneh, R. M., Zemene, M. A., Bayih, W. A., . . . Muche, A. A. (2023). Prognostication of treatment non-compliance among patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the course of their follow-up: a logistic regression–based machine learning algorithm. Frontiers in Digital Health, 5, 10 pages.
DOI Scopus15 WoS12
2023 Taye, Z. W., Abebil, Y. A., Akalu, T. Y., Tessema, G. M., & Taye, E. B. (2023). Incidence and determinants of nosocomial infection among hospital admitted adult chronic disease patients in University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North–West Ethiopia, 2016–2020. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 11 pages.
DOI Scopus21 WoS17 Europe PMC18
2022 Dadi, A. F., Akalu, T. Y., Wolde, H. F., & Baraki, A. G. (2022). Effect of perinatal depression on birth and infant health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies from Africa. ARCHIVES OF PUBLIC HEALTH, 80(1), 11 pages.
DOI Scopus53 WoS48
2022 Anley, D. T., Akalu, T. Y., Merid, M. W., & Tsegaye, T. (2022). Development and Validation of a Nomogram for the Prediction of Unfavorable Treatment Outcome Among Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Patients in North West Ethiopia: An Application of Prediction Modelling. Infection and Drug Resistance, 15, 3887-3904.
DOI Scopus10 WoS8 Europe PMC9
2022 Bogale, L., Tenaw, D., Tsegaye, T., Abdulkadir, M., & Akalu, T. Y. (2022). A Score to Predict the Risk of Major Adverse Drug Reactions Among Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Patients in Southern Ethiopia, 2014–2019. Infection and Drug Resistance, 15, 2055-2065.
DOI Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC3
2022 Tamirat, K. S., Kebede, F. B., Baraki, A. G., & Akalu, T. Y. (2022). The Role of GeneXpert MTB/RIF in Reducing Treatment Delay Among Multidrug Resistance Tuberculosis Patients: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis. Infection and Drug Resistance, 15, 285-294.
DOI Scopus13 WoS14 Europe PMC11
2022 Anley, D. T., Akalu, T. Y., Merid, M. W., Dessie, A. M., Zemene, M. A., Demissie, B., & Arage, G. (2022). Development and validation of a nomogram for the prediction of late culture conversion among multi-drug resistant tuberculosis patients in North West Ethiopia: An application of prediction modelling. Plos One, 17(8 July), 19 pages.
DOI Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2022 Moges, T. A., Akalu, T. Y., & Sema, F. D. (2022). Unintended medication discrepancies and associated factors upon patient admission to the internal medicine wards: identified through medication reconciliation. BMC Health Services Research, 22(1), 13 pages.
DOI Scopus16 WoS17 Europe PMC13
2022 Tesema, Z. T., Tesema, G. A., Boke, M. M., & Akalu, T. Y. (2022). Determinants of modern contraceptive utilization among married women in sub-Saharan Africa: multilevel analysis using recent demographic and health survey. BMC Women S Health, 22(1), 11 pages.
DOI Scopus31 WoS31 Europe PMC27
2021 Cromwell, E. A., Osborne, J. C. P., Unnasch, T. R., Basáñez, M., Gass, K. M., Barbre, K. A., . . . Ahmed, M. (2021). Predicting the environmental suitability for onchocerciasis in Africa as an aid to elimination planning. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 15(7), 23 pages.
DOI Scopus18 WoS16 Europe PMC14
2021 Hailu, F. A., Dejene, H., Akalu, T. Y., & Alemu, Y. F. (2021). Knowledge and Practice for Prevention of Bovine Tuberculosis and Its Derivers Among HIV Positive People in Bahir Dar City Public Hospitals, Ethiopia. HIV AIDS Research and Palliative Care, 13, 1025-1034.
DOI Scopus7 WoS7 Europe PMC5
2021 Gelaye, K. A., Debalke, G., Ayele, T. A., Wolde, H. F., Sisay, M. M., Teshome, D. F., . . . Wami, S. D. (2021). Occupational health problems among seasonal and migrant farmworkers in ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 14, 4447-4456.
DOI Scopus9 WoS8 Europe PMC5
2021 Tegenu, H., Gebrehiwot, M., Azanaw, J., & Akalu, T. Y. (2021). Self-Reported Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Associated Factors among Restaurant Workers in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2021, 9 pages.
DOI Scopus28 WoS22 Europe PMC15
2021 Azmeraw, Y., Akalu, T. Y., Boke, M., & Gelaye, K. (2021). The Effect of Socioeconomic and Behavioral Factors on Childhood Stunting in Janamora District, Ethiopia. NUTRITION AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS, 13, 91-101.
DOI WoS2
2021 Ayana, G. M., Akalu, T. Y., & Ayele, T. A. (2021). Joint modeling of incidence of tuberculosis and change in viral load over time among adult hiv/aids patients on anti-retroviral therapy at zewditu memorial hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. HIV AIDS Research and Palliative Care, 13, 239-249.
DOI Scopus14 WoS14 Europe PMC14
2021 Bogale, L., Tsegaye, T., Abdulkadir, M., & Akalu, T. Y. (2021). Unfavorable treatment outcome and its predictors among patients with multidrug-resistance tuberculosis in southern ethiopia in 2014 to 2019: A multi-center retrospective follow-up study. Infection and Drug Resistance, 14, 1343-1355.
DOI Scopus17 WoS16 Europe PMC19
2021 Akalu, T. Y., Gelaye, K. A., Bishaw, M. A., Tilahun, S. Y., Yeshaw, Y., Azale, T., . . . Akalu, Y. (2021). Depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms and its associated factors among residents of gondar town during the early stage of covid-19 pandemic. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 14, 1073-1083.
DOI Scopus21 WoS19 Europe PMC17
2021 Demissie, G. D., Ayele, T. A., Wami, S. D., Sisay, M. M., Fetene, D., Wolde, H. F., . . . Gelaye, K. A. (2021). Low practice of malaria prevention among migrants and seasonal farmworkers in Metema and west Armacheho districts, Northwest Ethiopia. BMC Infectious Diseases, 21(1), 9 pages.
DOI Scopus6 WoS5 Europe PMC8
2021 Gelaye, K. A., Sisay, M. M., Akalu, T. Y., Teshome, D. F., Wolde, H. F., Demissie, G. D., . . . Ayele, T. A. (2021). Common mental disorders among seasonal migrant farmworkers in Northwest Ethiopia. BMC Psychiatry, 21(1), 8 pages.
DOI Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC3
2020 Amare, A., Bhandari, D., Gill, T., Hariyani, N., Noubiap Nzeale, J., & LBD Double Burden of Malnutrition Collaborators. (2020). Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017. Nature Medicine, 26(5), 750-759.
DOI Scopus73 WoS68 Europe PMC60
2020 Reiner, R. C., Hay, S. I., Wiens, K. E., Deshpande, A., Baumann, M. M., Lindstedt, P. A., . . . 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. The Lancet, 395(10239), 1779-1801.
DOI Scopus105 WoS99 Europe PMC103
2020 Kinyoki, D., Ross, J., Lazzar-Atwood, A., Munro, S., Schaeffer, L., Abbasalizad-Farhangi, M., . . . Awasthi, A. (2020). Author Correction: Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017 (Nature Medicine, (2020), 26, 5, (750-759), 10.1038/s41591-020-0807-6). Nature Medicine, 26(8), 1308.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2020 Wiens, K. E., Lindstedt, P. A., Blacker, B. F., Johnson, K. B., Baumann, M. M., Schaeffer, L. E., . . . Bell, M. L. (2020). Mapping geographical inequalities in oral rehydration therapy coverage in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–17. The Lancet Global Health, 8(8), e1038-e1060.
DOI Scopus31 WoS31 Europe PMC34
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 WoS1
2020 Deshpande, A., Miller-Petrie, M. K., Lindstedt, P. A., Baumann, M. M., Johnson, K. B., Blacker, B. F., . . . Ahmed, M. (2020). The global distribution of lymphatic filariasis, 2000–18: a geospatial analysis. The Lancet Global Health, 8(9), e1186-e1194.
DOI Scopus170 WoS142 Europe PMC139
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 Scopus151 WoS129 Europe PMC89
2020 GBD 2019 Risk Factors Collaborators., Bhandari, D., Baune, B., Lalloo, R., Noubiap Nzeale,, J. J., Ciobanu, L., & Lassi, Z. (2020). Global burden of 87 risk factors in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet, 396(10258), 1223-1249.
DOI Scopus9877 WoS7813 Europe PMC6664
2020 GBD 2019 Diseases and Injuries Collaborators., Baune, B., Bhandari, D., Ciobanu, L., Lalloo, R., Lassi, Z., & Noubiap Nzeale, J. (2020). Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet, 396(10258), 1204-1222.
DOI Scopus15916 WoS14236 Europe PMC14449
2020 Murray, C. J. L., Abbafati, C., Abbas, K. M., Abbasi, M., Abbasi-Kangevari, M., Abd-Allah, F., . . . Badiye, A. D. (2020). Five insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet, 396(10258), 1135-1159.
DOI Scopus595 WoS543 Europe PMC443
2020 Wang, H., Abbas, K. M., Abbasifard, M., Abbasi-Kangevari, M., Abbastabar, H., Abd-Allah, F., . . . Noubiap Nzeale, J. (2020). Global age-sex-specific fertility, mortality, healthy life expectancy (HALE), and population estimates in 204 countries and territories, 1950–2019: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet, 396(10258), 1160-1203.
DOI Scopus1776 WoS1466 Europe PMC1484
2020 Asmelash, D., Fasil, A., Tegegne, Y., Akalu, T. Y., Ferede, H. A., & Aynalem, G. L. (2020). Knowledge, attitudes and practices toward prevention and early detection of COVID-19 and associated factors among religious clerics and traditional healers in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia: A community-based study. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 13, 2239-2250.
DOI Scopus29 WoS23 Europe PMC23
2020 Dadi, A. F., Akalu, T. Y., Baraki, A. G., & Wolde, H. F. (2020). Epidemiology of postnatal depression and its associated factors in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Plos One, 15(4), 18 pages.
DOI Scopus95 WoS91 Europe PMC70
2020 Dadi, A. F., Wolde, H. F., Baraki, A. G., & Akalu, T. Y. (2020). Epidemiology of antenatal depression in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20(1), 13 pages.
DOI Scopus75 WoS73 Europe PMC67
2020 Geremew, B. M., Gelaye, K. A., Melesse, A. W., Akalu, T. Y., & Baraki, A. G. (2020). Factors Affecting Under-Five Mortality in Ethiopia: A Multilevel Negative Binomial Model. PEDIATRIC HEALTH MEDICINE AND THERAPEUTICS, 11, 525-534.
DOI WoS20 Europe PMC17
2020 Gelaye, K. A., Demissie, G. D., Ayele, T. A., Wami, S. D., Sisay, M. M., Akalu, T. Y., . . . Wolde, H. F. (2020). Low Knowledge and Attitude Towards Visceral Leishmaniasis Among Migrants and Seasonal Farm Workers in Northwest Ethiopia. RESEARCH AND REPORTS IN TROPICAL MEDICINE, 11, 159-168.
DOI WoS8 Europe PMC10
2020 Gonete, K. A., Tariku, A., Wami, S. D., & Akalu, T. Y. (2020). Dietary diversity practice and associated factors among adolescent girls in Dembia district, northwest Ethiopia, 2017. Public Health Reviews, 41(1), 13 pages.
DOI Scopus33 WoS24 Europe PMC16
2020 Alem, A. Z., Zeleke, E. G., & Akalu, T. Y. (2020). Time to adjuvant chemotherapy and its predictors among women with breast cancer at the university of gondar compressive specialized hospital: A retrospective follow-up study. Breast Cancer Targets and Therapy, 12, 97-108.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC1
2020 Abich, Y., Mihiret, T., Akalu, T. Y., Gashaw, M., & Janakiraman, B. (2020). Flatfoot and associated factors among Ethiopian school children aged 11 to 15 years: A school-based study. Plos One, 15(8 August), 14 pages.
DOI Scopus26 WoS24 Europe PMC19
2020 Gelaye, K. A., Debalkie, G., Ayele, T. A., Wami, S. D., Sisay, M. M., Fetene, D., . . . Akalu, T. Y. (2020). The role of mass media exposure on tuberculosis knowledge and attitude among migrant and seasonal farmworkers in Northwest Ethiopia. BMC Infectious Diseases, 20(1), 10 pages.
DOI Scopus13 WoS11 Europe PMC11
2020 Kassa, G. M., Tadesse, A., Gelaw, Y. A., Alemayehu, T. T., Tsegaye, A. T., Tamirat, K. S., & Akalu, T. Y. (2020). Predictors of mortality among multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients in central Ethiopia: A retrospective follow-up study. Epidemiology and Infection, 148, 7 pages.
DOI Scopus20 WoS17 Europe PMC19
2020 Baraki, A. G., Akalu, T. Y., Wolde, H. F., Lakew, A. M., & Gonete, K. A. (2020). Factors affecting infant mortality in the general population: evidence from the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey (EDHS); a multilevel analysis. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20(1), 299.
DOI Scopus23 WoS22 Europe PMC17
2020 Baraki, A. G., Akalu, T. Y., Wolde, H. F., Takele, W. W., Mamo, W. N., Derseh, B., . . . Dadi, A. F. (2020). Time to recovery from severe acute malnutrition and its predictors: A multicentre retrospective follow-up study in Amhara region, north-west Ethiopia. BMJ Open, 10(2), 6 pages.
DOI Scopus27 WoS24 Europe PMC23
2020 Akalu, T. Y., Baraki, A. G., Wolde, H. F., Lakew, A. M., & Gonete, K. A. (2020). Factors affecting current khat chewing among male adults 15-59 years in Ethiopia, 2016: A multi-level analysis from Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey. BMC Psychiatry, 20(1), 8 pages.
DOI Scopus20 WoS19 Europe PMC16
2019 Amsalu, E. T., Akalu, T. Y., & Gelaye, K. A. (2019). Spatial distribution and determinants of acute respiratory infection among under-five children in Ethiopia: Ethiopian demographic Health Survey 2016. Plos One, 14(4), 14 pages.
DOI Scopus52 WoS50 Europe PMC53
2019 Mamo, W. N., Derso, T., Gelaye, K. A., & Akalu, T. Y. (2019). Time to recovery and determinants of severe acute malnutrition among 6-59 months children treated at outpatient therapeutic programme in North Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia: A prospective follow up study. Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 45(1), 8 pages.
DOI Scopus22 WoS19 Europe PMC19
2019 Workie, G. Y., Akalu, T. Y., & Baraki, A. G. (2019). Environmental factors affecting childhood diarrheal disease among under-five children in Jamma district, South Wello zone, Northeast Ethiopia. BMC Infectious Diseases, 19(1), 804.
DOI Scopus64 WoS58 Europe PMC53
2019 Wolde, H. F., Gonete, K. A., Akalu, T. Y., Baraki, A. G., & Lakew, A. M. (2019). Factors affecting neonatal mortality in the general population: Evidence from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS)-multilevel analysis. BMC Research Notes, 12(1), 6 pages.
DOI Scopus61 WoS60 Europe PMC60
2019 Tefera, K. T., Mesfin, N., Reta, M. M., Sisay, M. M., Tamirat, K. S., & Akalu, T. Y. (2019). Treatment delay and associated factors among adults with drug resistant tuberculosis at treatment initiating centers in the Amhara regional state, Ethiopia. BMC Infectious Diseases, 19(1), 8 pages.
DOI Scopus17 WoS13 Europe PMC16
2019 Merid, M. W., Gezie, L. D., Kassa, G. M., Muluneh, A. G., Akalu, T. Y., & Yenit, M. K. (2019). Incidence and predictors of major adverse drug events among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients on second-line anti-tuberculosis treatment in Amhara regional state public hospitals; Ethiopia: A retrospective cohort study. BMC Infectious Diseases, 19(1), 12 pages.
DOI Scopus32 WoS29 Europe PMC25
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 Scopus437 WoS380 Europe PMC339
2018 Yihunie Akalu, T., Fentahun Muchie, K., & Alemu Gelaye, K. (2018). Time to sputum culture conversion and its determinants among Multi-drug resistant Tuberculosis patients at public hospitals of the Amhara Regional State: A multicenter retrospective follow up study. Plos One, 13(6), 14 pages.
DOI Scopus33 WoS34 Europe PMC36
2018 Nigatu, G., Assefa Woreta, S., Akalu, T. Y., & Yenit, M. K. (2018). Prevalence and associated factors of underweight among children 6-59 months of age in Takusa district, Northwest Ethiopia. International Journal for Equity in Health, 17(1), 8 pages.
DOI Scopus35 WoS32 Europe PMC29

  • Co-Investigator: Common mental illness and associated factors among residents, health professionals, and those in quarantine in Gondar town during the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak (merged project). University of Gondar COVID-19 research proposal call | $8,394.42

  • Co-Investigator: Knowledge, attitude, and preventive practice towards prevention and early detection of COVID-19 among religious clerics and traditional healers in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia (2020). University of Gondar COVID-19 research proposal call | $4,813.06

  • Co-Investigator: Health issues of migrant and seasonal farm workers and human trafficked victims in Amhara Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia (2016-2019). University of Gondar competitive research grant | $44,493.68

  • Competitive Scholarship Recipient: Curtin University HDR Scholarship Award (International Scholarship Award; tuition and stipend) (2021-2025) | $248,365

  • Competitive Scholarship Recipient: University of Gondar Postgraduate Scholarship Award, MPH (2015–2017) | $13,622.75

  • Stan and Jean PhD Career Launching Award, The Kids Research Institute Australia (December 2024) | $20,000

  • Friends of the Institute Travel Award, The Kids Research Institute Australia (November 2024) | $2,500

  • Engagement Grant Award, Curtin University (November 2023) | $2,500

  • Australian Centre of Research Excellence in Malaria Elimination (ACREME) Travel Grant (May 2023) | $1,386

  • Stanford World’s Top 2% Scientists (2024 and 2025)

  • Letter of recognition for publishing six open-access articles with Elsevier (2020-2022)

  • Best Presenter Award, 2nd Annual Ethiopian Field Epidemiology Conference, Addis Ababa (2018)

  • Top Scorer Award, MPH in Epidemiology class of 2017, University of Gondar

  • Letter of appreciation for effective implementation of the Capacity Building and Mentorship Project in the Amhara and Benishangul Regional States, Ethiopian Ministry of Health and University of Gondar (2017-2020)

  • Certificates of recognition for data management and analysis training delivered to undergraduate and postgraduate health science students, University of Gondar (2018, 2019, 2020)

Teaching

  • Taught epidemiology, advanced epidemiology, determinants of health, research methodology, and disease control and prevention to undergraduate and postgraduate medical and health sciences students (University of Gondar, 2015-2021)

  • Contributed to revising the MPH in Epidemiology curriculum, including basic, advanced, clinical and spatial epidemiology, systematic review and meta-analysis, and research methodology (University of Gondar, 2018)

  • Contributed to preparing the MPH in Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Genomics curriculum (University of Gondar, 2020)

  • Delivered data management and analysis training to undergraduate and postgraduate health science students, and coordinated a team training program at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences (University of Gondar, 2018-2020)

  • Provided field mentoring to Master’s in Field Epidemiology students during surveillance, disaster management and outbreak investigations across multiple districts

  • Seminar presentations to the Geo-TB team, The Kids Research Institute Australia (April 2023; March 2025)

    Supervision and mentorship

  • Supervised 15 completed master’s theses (University of Gondar), the majority resulting in peer-reviewed publications, and multiple undergraduate students; advised multiple public health and medicine students (2015-2021)

  • Three supervisees progressed to PhD study at internationally ranked universities:

    • Denekew Tenaw (MPH, Epidemiology, 2021): nomogram for unfavourable treatment outcome among MDR-TB patients (published); PhD, Monash University

    • Erkihun Tadesse Amsalu (MPH, Epidemiology, 2018): spatial distribution of acute respiratory infection among under-five children in Ethiopia; PhD, University of Sydney

    • Adugnaw Zeleke Alem (MPH, Epidemiology): time to adjuvant chemotherapy among women with breast cancer (published); PhD, Australian National University

  • Other completed master’s and specialty supervisions (University of Gondar and partner institutions):

    • Lemlem Bogale (2020): unfavourable treatment outcome among MDR-TB patients in Southern Ethiopia (published)

    • Tilaye Arega Moges (MPH, Pharmacology, 2021): unintended medication discrepancies on admission (published)

    • Yohannes Abich (MPH, Physiotherapy, 2019): flatfoot among Ethiopian school children (published)

    • Getachew Yismaw Workie (2019): environmental factors and childhood diarrhoeal disease (published)

    • Fikirtemariam Aregay Hailu (MPH, Veterinary Public Health, 2020): bovine TB prevention among HIV-positive people (published)

    • Worku Nigusu Mamo (MPH, Human Nutrition, 2018): recovery from severe acute malnutrition (published)

    • Galana Mamo Ayana (MPH, Biostatistics): joint modelling of TB incidence and viral load among adults on ART (published)

    • Mamo Mazengia (MPH, Human Nutrition, 2020): bed net utilisation among pregnant women, Metema district

    • Hailemariam Feleke (MPH, Environmental Health, 2020): distribution and predictors of malaria in Amhara, Oromia and SNNP regions

    • Ebrahim Azmeraw (MPH, Field Epidemiology, 2021): socioeconomic and behavioural factors in childhood stunting, Janamora District

    • Tigabu Bayuh (MPH, Epidemiology, 2020): time to viral-load suppression after enhanced adherence counselling

    • Yonathan Gebrewold (MD, Radiology): ultrasound predictors of lower urinary tract symptom severity in benign prostatic hyperplasia

  • Position: Grant-Funded Researcher (A)
  • Email: temesgen.akalu@adelaide.edu.au
  • Alternative Contact: Prof Peng Bi School of Public Health, University of Adelaide Email: peng.bi@adelaide.edu.au

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