Temesgen Akalu
Ph.D. candidate, Research Assistant
BSC, MPH
temesgen.akalu@thekids.org.au
+61 434 340 860
Temesgen Akalu is an infectious disease and spatial epidemiologist with a research interest that employs advanced epidemiological and statistical analysis. Currently, he is a Ph.D. student at Curtin University and a research assistant at The Kids Research Institute Australia in Perth, Australia. His research mainly focuses on the long-term sequelae of patients with multidrug and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in Ethiopia and China. His research interests include forecasting, mapping, and designing effective strategies to tackle infectious and neglected tropical diseases in high-burden countries such as Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific region.
Temesgen is a member of the GeoTB team and continues to work on infectious diseases in high-burden countries. Before his Ph.D., Temesgen was a lecturer and researcher at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia, with the rank of assistant professor.
Published research
Predictors of poor treatment outcomes among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients in Hunan province, China
Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a significant public health concern, often resulting in poor treatment outcomes. This study aims to identify predictors of poor treatment outcomes among patients with DR-TB in Hunan Province, China.
Risk factors associated with post-tuberculosis sequelae: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Post-tuberculosis (TB) sequelae present a significant challenge in the management of TB survivors, often leading to persistent health issues even after successful treatment. Identifying risk factors associated with post-TB sequelae is important for improving outcomes and quality of life of TB survivors. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to identify risk factors associated with long-term physical sequelae among TB survivors.
Ecological-level factors associated with tuberculosis incidence and mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Globally, tuberculosis (TB) is the leading infectious cause of morbidity and mortality, with the risk of infection affected by both individual and ecological-level factors. While systematic reviews on individual-level factors exist, there are currently limited studies examining ecological-level factors associated with TB incidence and mortality. This study was conducted to identify ecological factors associated with TB incidence and mortality.
Prevalence of tuberculosis infection among contacts of drug-resistant tuberculosis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Contact investigations with drug-susceptible tuberculosis (DS-TB) patients have demonstrated a high prevalence of tuberculosis infection (TBI). However, the prevalence of TBI among individuals in close contact with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients is poorly understood. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of TBI among household and non-household contacts of DR-TB patients.
Impacts of armed conflicts on tuberculosis burden and treatment outcomes: a systematic review
This systematic review aimed to summarise existing literature on the impacts of armed conflicts on tuberculosis burden and treatment outcomes.
Determinants of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Hunan province, China: a case-control study
Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a major public health threat in Hunan Province, with an increasing clinical burden in recent years. This study aimed to identify socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with DR-TB in Hunan province, China.
Risk factors for diagnosis and treatment delay among patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Hunan Province, China
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a global health threat associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Diagnosis and treatment delays are associated with poor treatment outcomes in patients with MDR-TB. However, the risk factors associated with these delays are not robustly investigated, particularly in high TB burden countries such as China.
Burden of drug-resistant tuberculosis among contacts of index cases: A protocol for a systematic review
People having close contact with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients are at increased risk of contracting and developing the disease. However, no comprehensive review has been undertaken to estimate the burden of DR-TB among contacts of DR-TB patients. Therefore, the current systematic review will quantify the prevalence and incidence of DR-TB among contacts of DR-TB patients.
Population-Modifiable Risk Factors Associated With Childhood Stunting in Sub-Saharan Africa
Identifying modifiable risk factors associated with childhood stunting in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is imperative for the development of evidence-based interventions and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The objective was to evaluate key modifiable risk factors associated with childhood stunting in SSA.
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
Drug compliance is the act of taking medication on schedule or taking medication as prescribed and obeying other medical instructions. It is the most crucial aspect in the treatment of chronic diseases particularly for patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Drug non-compliance is the main reason for causing drug resistance and poor treatment outcomes.
Education and Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, Public Health, Hawassa University, Ethiopia
- Master of Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
Awards/Honours
- [2021-2024] - [Curtin University HDR scholarship], [Perth, Australia]
- [2023] - [Australian Centre of Research Excellence in Malaria Elimination (ACREME) travel grant], [Melbourne, Australia]