Sisay Alemu

Mr. Sisay Alemu

University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

11Years (2016-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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15 April 2016 in BMC Psychiatry
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THTesfa Dejenie Habtewold
Tesfa Dejenie Habtewold
SASisay Alemu
Sisay Alemu
YHYohannes Gebreegziabhere Haile
Yohannes Gebreegziabhere Haile
Depression is a common comorbidity among patients with type 2 diabetes. There are several reports supporting a bidirectional association between depression and type 2 diabetes. However, there is limited data from non-western countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors associated with co-morbid depression among type 2 diabetic outpatients presenting to Black Lion General Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This institution based cross-sectional study design was conducted on a random sample of 276 type 2 diabetic outpatients. Type 2 diabetes patients were evaluated for depression by administering a validated nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Risk factors for depression among type 2 diabetes patients were identified using multiple logistic regression analysis. In total, 264 study participants were interviewed with a response rate of 95.6 %. The prevalence of depression was 44.7 %. In the multivariate analysis, the statistically significant risk factors for depression were monthly family income ≤ 650 (p-value = 0.056; OR = 2.0; 95 % CI = 1.01, 4.2), presence of ≥3 diabetic complications (p-value = 0.03; OR = 3.3; 95 % CI = 1.1, 10.0), diabetic nephropathy (p-value = 0.01; OR = 2.9; 95 % CI = 1.2, 6.7), negative life events (p-value = 0.01; OR = 2.4; 95 % CI = 1.2, 4.5), and poor social support (p-value = 0.001; OR = 2.7; 95 % CI = 1.5, 5.0). This study demonstrated that depression is a common co-morbid health problem with a prevalence rate of 44.7 %. The presence of diabetic complications, low monthly family income, diabetic nephropathy, negative life event, and poor social support were the statistically significant risk factors associated with depression. We presume that the burden of mental health especially depression is high in the population with type 2 diabetes mellitus co-morbidity. Therefore, specific attention is needed to diagnose early and treat promptly.

1 January 2017 in BioMed Research International
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YHYohannes Gebreegziabhere Haile
Yohannes Gebreegziabhere Haile
SASisay Alemu
Sisay Alemu
THTesfa Dejenie Habtewold
Tesfa Dejenie Habtewold
Introduction. Studies show that 9.4% to 38.2% of university students are suffering from insomnia. However, research data in developing countries is limited. Thus, the aim of the study was to assess insomnia and its temporal association with academic performance.Methods and Materials. Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted with 388 students at Debre Berhan University. Data were collected at the nine colleges. Logistic and linear regression analysis was performed for modeling insomnia and academic performance with apvalue threshold of 0.05, respectively. Data were entered using EPI-data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20.Results. The prevalence of insomnia was 61.6%. Field of study (pvalue = 0.01), worshiping frequency (pvalue = 0.048), marital status (pvalue = 0.03), and common mental disorder (pvalue < 0.001) were identified associated factors of insomnia. There was no significant association between insomnia and academic performance (pvalue = 0.53,β= −0.04). Insomnia explained 1.2% (r2= 0.012) of the difference in academic performance between students.Conclusions. Nearly 3 out of 5 students had insomnia. We recommended that universities would endorse sleep quality and mental health illness screening programs for students.

3 May 2017 in International Journal of Mental Health Systems
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YHYohannes Gebreegziabhere Haile
Yohannes Gebreegziabhere Haile
SASisay Alemu
Sisay Alemu
THTesfa Dejenie Habtewold
Tesfa Dejenie Habtewold
Common mental disorder (CMD) is prevalent in industrialized and non-industrialized countries. The prevalence of CMD among university students was 28.8–44.7% and attributed to several risk factors, such as schooling. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of CMD. In addition, the association between CMD and academic performance was tested. Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted with 422 students at Debre Berhan university from March to April 2015. CMD was the primary outcome variable whereas academic performance was the secondary outcome variable. Kessler psychological distress (K10) scale was used to assess CMD. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed for modeling the primary outcome variable; independent samples T test and linear regression analysis were carried out for modeling the secondary outcome variable. The strength of association was interpreted using odds ratio and regression coefficient (β) and decision on statistical significance was made at a p value of 0.05. Data were entered using EPI-data version 3.1 software and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.01 software. The prevalence of CMD was 63.1%. Field of study (p = 0.008, OR = 0.2, 95% CI 0.04–0.61), worshiping (p = 0.04, OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.02–3.35), insomnia (p < 0.001, OR = 3.8, 95% CI 2.21–6.57), alcohol drinking (p = 0.006, OR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.33–5.66), and headache (p = 0.02, OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.10–3.86) were identified risk factors for CMD. The mean cumulative grade point average of students with CMD was lower by 0.02 compared to those without CMD, but not statistically significant (p = 0.70, β = −0.02, 95% CI −0.15 to 0.10). CMD explained only 0.8% (r2 = 0.008) of the difference in academic performance between students. At least three out of five students fulfilled CMD diagnostic criteria. The statistically significant risk factors were field of study, worshiping, insomnia, alcohol drinking, and headache. Moreover, there was no statistically significant association between CMD and academic performance. Undertaking integrated evidence-based intervention focusing on students with poor sleep quality, poor physical health, and who drink alcohol is essential if the present finding confirmed by a longitudinal study.

30 May 2019 in BMJ Open
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THTesfa Dejenie Habtewold
Tesfa Dejenie Habtewold
NSNigussie Tadesse Sharew
Nigussie Tadesse Sharew
SASisay Alemu
Sisay Alemu
Objectives: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the association of gender of newborn, antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) with timely initiation of breast feeding (TIBF) and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practices in Ethiopia. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: To retrieve all available literature, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, WHO Global Health Library, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases were systematically searched and complemented by manual searches. The search was done from August 2017 to September 2018. Eligibility criteria: All observational studies including cross-sectional, case-control, cohort studies conducted in Ethiopia from 2000 to 2018 were included. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment of included studies. Data extraction and synthesis: Study area, design, population, number of mothers (calculated sample size and participated in the study) and observed frequency data were extracted using Joanna Briggs Institute tool. To obtain the pooled effect size, a meta-analysis using weighted inverse variance random-effects model was performed. Cochran’s Q X 2 test, τ 2 and I 2 statistics were used to test heterogeneity, estimate amount of total/residual heterogeneity and measure variability attributed to heterogeneity, respectively. Mixed-effects meta-regression analysis was done to identify possible sources of heterogeneity. Egger’s regression test at p value threshold ≤0.01 was used to examine publication bias. Furthermore, the trend of evidence over time was examined by performing a cumulative meta-analysis. Results: Of 523 articles retrieved, 17 studies (n=26 146 mothers) on TIBF and 24 studies (n=17 819 mothers) on EBF were included in the final analysis. ANC (OR=2.24, 95% CI 1.65 to 3.04, p<0.001, I 2 =90.9%), PNC (OR=1.86, 95% CI 1.41 to 2.47, p<0.001, I 2 =63.4%) and gender of newborn (OR=1.31, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.68, p=0.04, I 2 =81.7%) significantly associated with EBF. ANC (OR=1.70, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.65, p=0.02, I 2 =93.1%) was also significantly associated with TIBF but not with gender of newborn (OR=1.02, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.21, p=0.82, I 2 =66.2%). Conclusions: In line with our hypothesis, gender of newborn, ANC and PNC were significantly associated with EBF. Likewise, ANC was significantly associated with TIBF. Optimal care during pregnancy and after birth is important to ensure adequate breast feeding. This meta-analysis study provided up-to-date evidence on breastfeeding practices and its associated factors, which could be useful for breastfeeding improvement initiative in Ethiopia and cross-country and cross-cultural comparison. Trial registration number: CRD42017056768

11 September 2018 in PLOS ONE
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YAYihun Mulugeta Alemu
Yihun Mulugeta Alemu
THTesfa Dejenie Habtewold
Tesfa Dejenie Habtewold
SASisay Alemu
Sisay Alemu
To identify proportion of and factors for comprehensive knowledge on prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in pregnant women attending antenatal care in Northern Ethiopia. A total of 416 pregnant women were interviewed between October 2012 and May 2013. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors for comprehensive knowledge on prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The proportion of pregnant women, who have comprehensive knowledge on prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, was 52%. The odds of having comprehensive knowledge on prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV were higher among pregnant women who were younger (16 to 24 years old) (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 2.95; 95%CI: 1.20, 7.26), urban residents (AOR = 2.45; 95%CI: 1.39, 4.32), attending secondary education and above (AOR = 4.43; 95%CI: 2.40, 8.20), employed (AOR = 4.99;95%CI: 2.45, 10.16), have five children or more (AOR = 9.34; 95%CI:3.78, 23.07), have favored attitude towards HIV positive living (AOR = 2.53; 95%CI: 1.43, 4.44) and have perceived susceptibility to HIV (AOR = 10.72; 95%CI: 3.90, 29.39). The proportion of women who have comprehensive knowledge on prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in this study setting was low. Measures which will escalate mother’s knowledge on prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV should be emphasized. Efforts to improve mother’s knowledge on prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV should target women who were older age (> = 35years), rural residents, unemployed, not attending formal education, primigravids, have no favored attitude towards HIV positive living and have not perceived susceptibility to HIV.

9 August 2022 in Journal of Global Health
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SASisay Alemu
Sisay Alemu
ATAbera Kenay Tura
Abera Kenay Tura
GAGabriel S Gurgel Do Amaral
Gabriel S Gurgel Do Amaral
CMCatherine Moughalian
Catherine Moughalian
GWGerd Weitkamp
Gerd Weitkamp
RBRegien Biesma
Regien Biesma
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has the world's highest maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and has shown the slowest progress in reducing them. In addition, there is substantial inequality in terms of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in the region. Geospatial studies can help prioritize scarce resources by pinpointing priority areas for implementation. This systematic review was conducted to explore the application of geospatial analysis to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in SSA. A systematic search of PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases was performed. All observational and qualitative studies that reported on maternal or neonatal health outcomes were included if they used a spatial analysis technique and were conducted in a SSA country. After removing duplicates, two reviewers independently reviewed each study's abstract and full text for inclusion. Furthermore, the quality of the studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklists. Finally, due to the heterogeneity of studies, narrative synthesis was used to summarize the main findings, and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline was strictly followed to report the review results. A total of 56 studies were included in the review. We found that geospatial analysis was used to identify inequalities in maternal and neonatal morbidity, mortality, and health care utilization and to identify gaps in the availability and geographic accessibility of maternal health facilities. In addition, we identified a few studies that used geospatial analysis for modelling intervention areas. We also detected challenges and shortcomings, such as unrealistic assumptions used by geospatial models and a shortage of reliable, up-to-date, small-scale georeferenced data. The use of geospatial analysis for maternal and neonatal health in SSA is still limited, and more detailed spatial data are required to exploit the potential of geospatial technologies fully.