Taddese Alemu Zerfu
Biographic Data
| ID | 5990959 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Taddese Alemu Zerfu |
| GIVEN NAMES | Taddese Alemu |
| FAMILY NAME | Zerfu |
| SIGNATURE | ZERFU T A |
| AFFILIATIONS | African Population and Health Research Center |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-5190-9845 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 22 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 0 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 22 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2017 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 0 |
A Theology of Health
Heavy on Plans, Light on Delivery
Ethiopia's development ambitions rest on the foundation of a healthy population, yet its nutrition sector remains stalled despite decades of planning and investment. Nearly 38% of children under five are stunted, and food insecurity continues to affect millions. Landmark initiatives like the National Food and Nutrition Policy and the Seqota Declaration demonstrate strong political will-but implementation and scale-up falters due to entrenched str…
Burden of disease scenarios for 204 countries and territories, 2022–2050
BACKGROUND: Future trends in disease burden and drivers of health are of great interest to policy makers and the public at large. This information can be used for policy and long-term health investment, planning, and prioritisation. We have expanded and improved upon previous forecasts produced as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) and provide a reference forecast (the most likely future), and alternativ…
Suboptimal nutritional status of school-age children in Addis Ababa
Background: School-aged children (6-14 years old) are susceptible to malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Environmental and behavioral factors greatly influence their nutritional status. This study aimed to examine the association between dietary factors and the nutritional status of school-aged children attending public and private schools in Addis Ababa. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed from March to …
Perceptions towards management of acute malnutrition by community health volunteers in northern Kenya
Child undernutrition is a persistent challenge in arid and semi-arid areas due to low and erratic rainfall, recurrent droughts and food insecurity. In these settings, caregivers face several challenges in accessing health services for sick and/or malnourished children, including long distances to health facilities, harsh terrain, and lack of money to pay for transportation costs to the health facilities, leading to low service coverage and sub-op…
Revolutionising multi-sectoral nutrition policy
The global nutrition and food security crisis, characterised by troubling trends in various forms of malnutrition ranging from hunger to obesity, has significantly worsened [1,2]. In 2021 and 2022, nearly one-third of the global population faced moderate to severe food insecurity, underscoring a persistent challenge in accessing healthy and sustainable diets [1,3]. This decline in [...]
Redefining health priorities
Recent Lancet Global Burden of Disease Study projections highlight a significant transformation in sub-Saharan Africa’s (SSA) health landscape by 2050 [1]. Although global age-standardised disease burden and life expectancy are anticipated to improve, SSA will move from primarily impacted by communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases (CMNNs) to an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). [...]
Treatment of moderate acute malnutrition through community health volunteers is a cost‐effective intervention
Treatment outcomes for acute malnutrition can be improved by integrating treatment into community case management (iCCM). However, little is known about the cost-effectiveness of this integrated nutrition intervention. The present study investigates the cost-effectiveness of treating moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) through community health volunteer (CHV) and integrating it with routine iCCM. A cost-effectiveness model compared the costs and ef…
Low awareness and affordability are major drivers of low consumption of animal‐source foods among children in Northern Ethiopia
Animal-source foods (ASFs), contain high amounts of essential nutrients that are readily absorbed by the body. However, children in resource-constrained settings often have limited access to these nutritious foods. This study aimed to investigate the reasons for the low consumption of ASFs among children in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. A community-based mixed-methods study was conducted, using exploratory qualitative methods supplemented by the…
The impacts of task shifting on the management and treatment of malnourished children in Northern Kenya
Treating children with acute malnutrition can be challenging, particularly regarding access to healthcare facilities during treatment. Task shifting, a strategy of transferring specific tasks to health workers with shorter training and fewer qualifications, is being considered as an effective approach to enhancing health outcomes in primary healthcare. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of integrating the treatment of acute malnutrition…
Potential effectiveness of integrating human milk banking and lactation support on neonatal outcomes at Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Kenya
We assessed the potential effectiveness of human milk banking and lactation support on provision of human milk to neonates admitted in the newborn unit (NBU) at Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Kenya. This pre-post intervention study collected data from mothers/caregivers and their vulnerable neonates or term babies who lacked sufficient mother's milk for several reasons admitted in the NBU. The intervention included establishing a human milk bank and…
Maternal vitamin D and growth of under-five children
What could be the potential reasons for relatively low coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) fatality rates in Africa? The case for Ethiopia
Communities and employers show a high level of preparedness in supporting working mothers to combine breastfeeding with work in rural Kenya
Community Readiness Model (CRM) through pragmatic mixed methods design, combining quantitative CRM survey with qualitative data, was used to assess the level of preparedness and readiness among local leaders, employers and community members in supporting working mothers to combine breastfeeding with work. The study was conducted in one of the tea state farms in Kericho County of Kenya. A total of 17 purposively selected men (fathers), lactating m…
Effect of a baby‐friendly workplace support intervention on exclusive breastfeeding in Kenya
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during the first 6 months of life is crucial for optimizing child growth, development and survival, as well as the mother's wellbeing. Mother's employment may hinder optimal breastfeeding, especially in the first 6 months. We assessed the effectiveness of a baby-friendly workplace support intervention on EBF in Kenya. This pre-post intervention study was conducted between 2016 and 2018 on an agricultural farm in Keri…
Perceptions on donated human milk and human milk banking in Nairobi, Kenya
Donor human milk (DHM) is recomended as the best alternative when use of mothers' own milk is not a feasible option. Kenya has not yet established human milk banks (HMBs) for provision of safe DHM, which is free from any physical, chemical, microbiological contaminants or pathogens. This study aimed to establish the perceptions on donating and using DHM, and establishing HMBs in Kenya. Qualitative data were collected through 17 focus group discus…
Integrated and simplified approaches to community management of acute malnutrition in rural Kenya
PACTR201811870943127 ; Pre-results. 26 November 2018
Global, regional, and national age-sex-specific mortality and life expectancy, 1950–2017
BACKGROUND: Assessments of age-specific mortality and life expectancy have been done by the UN Population Division, Department of Economics and Social Affairs (UNPOP), the United States Census Bureau, WHO, and as part of previous iterations of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD). Previous iterations of the GBD used population estimates from UNPOP, which were not derived in a way that was internally consistent wit…
Measuring progress from 1990 to 2017 and projecting attainment to 2030 of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals for 195 countries and territories
BACKGROUND: Efforts to establish the 2015 baseline and monitor early implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight both great potential for and threats to improving health by 2030. To fully deliver on the SDG aim of "leaving no one behind", it is increasingly important to examine the health-related SDGs beyond national-level estimates. As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD 2…
Effect of Deploying Trained Community Based Reproductive Health Nurses (Corn) on Long‐Acting Reversible Contraception (Larc) Use in Rural Ethiopia
To investigate the effect of innovative means to distribute LARC on contraceptive use, we implemented a three arm, parallel groups, cluster randomized community trial design. The intervention consisted of placing trained community‐based reproductive health nurses (CORN) within health centers or health posts. The nurses provided counseling to encourage women to use LARC and distributed all contraceptive methods. A total of 282 villages were random…
Global, regional, and national age-sex specific mortality for 264 causes of death, 1980–2016
BACKGROUND: Monitoring levels and trends in premature mortality is crucial to understanding how societies can address prominent sources of early death. The Global Burden of Disease 2016 Study (GBD 2016) provides a comprehensive assessment of cause-specific mortality for 264 causes in 195 locations from 1980 to 2016. This assessment includes evaluation of the expected epidemiological transition with changes in development and where local patterns …
Global, regional, and national under-5 mortality, adult mortality, age-specific mortality, and life expectancy, 1970–2016
BACKGROUND: Detailed assessments of mortality patterns, particularly age-specific mortality, represent a crucial input that enables health systems to target interventions to specific populations. Understanding how all-cause mortality has changed with respect to development status can identify exemplars for best practice. To accomplish this, the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2016 (GBD 2016) estimated age-specific and …
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Global, regional, and national age-sex specific mortality for 264 causes of death, 1980–2016
BACKGROUND: Monitoring levels and trends in premature mortality is crucial to understanding how societies can address prominent sources of early death. The Global Burden of Disease 2016 Study (GBD 2016) provides a comprehensive assessment of cause-specific mortality for 264 causes in 195 locations from 1980 to 2016. This assessment includes evaluation of the expected epidemiological transition with changes in development and where local patterns …
Global, regional, and national under-5 mortality, adult mortality, age-specific mortality, and life expectancy, 1970–2016
BACKGROUND: Detailed assessments of mortality patterns, particularly age-specific mortality, represent a crucial input that enables health systems to target interventions to specific populations. Understanding how all-cause mortality has changed with respect to development status can identify exemplars for best practice. To accomplish this, the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2016 (GBD 2016) estimated age-specific and …
Global, regional, and national age-sex-specific mortality and life expectancy, 1950–2017
BACKGROUND: Assessments of age-specific mortality and life expectancy have been done by the UN Population Division, Department of Economics and Social Affairs (UNPOP), the United States Census Bureau, WHO, and as part of previous iterations of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD). Previous iterations of the GBD used population estimates from UNPOP, which were not derived in a way that was internally consistent wit…
Measuring progress from 1990 to 2017 and projecting attainment to 2030 of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals for 195 countries and territories
BACKGROUND: Efforts to establish the 2015 baseline and monitor early implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight both great potential for and threats to improving health by 2030. To fully deliver on the SDG aim of "leaving no one behind", it is increasingly important to examine the health-related SDGs beyond national-level estimates. As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD 2…
Effect of Deploying Trained Community Based Reproductive Health Nurses (Corn) on Long‐Acting Reversible Contraception (Larc) Use in Rural Ethiopia
To investigate the effect of innovative means to distribute LARC on contraceptive use, we implemented a three arm, parallel groups, cluster randomized community trial design. The intervention consisted of placing trained community‐based reproductive health nurses (CORN) within health centers or health posts. The nurses provided counseling to encourage women to use LARC and distributed all contraceptive methods. A total of 282 villages were random…
Perceptions on donated human milk and human milk banking in Nairobi, Kenya
Donor human milk (DHM) is recomended as the best alternative when use of mothers' own milk is not a feasible option. Kenya has not yet established human milk banks (HMBs) for provision of safe DHM, which is free from any physical, chemical, microbiological contaminants or pathogens. This study aimed to establish the perceptions on donating and using DHM, and establishing HMBs in Kenya. Qualitative data were collected through 17 focus group discus…
Integrated and simplified approaches to community management of acute malnutrition in rural Kenya
PACTR201811870943127 ; Pre-results. 26 November 2018
What could be the potential reasons for relatively low coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) fatality rates in Africa? The case for Ethiopia
Communities and employers show a high level of preparedness in supporting working mothers to combine breastfeeding with work in rural Kenya
Community Readiness Model (CRM) through pragmatic mixed methods design, combining quantitative CRM survey with qualitative data, was used to assess the level of preparedness and readiness among local leaders, employers and community members in supporting working mothers to combine breastfeeding with work. The study was conducted in one of the tea state farms in Kericho County of Kenya. A total of 17 purposively selected men (fathers), lactating m…
Effect of a baby‐friendly workplace support intervention on exclusive breastfeeding in Kenya
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during the first 6 months of life is crucial for optimizing child growth, development and survival, as well as the mother's wellbeing. Mother's employment may hinder optimal breastfeeding, especially in the first 6 months. We assessed the effectiveness of a baby-friendly workplace support intervention on EBF in Kenya. This pre-post intervention study was conducted between 2016 and 2018 on an agricultural farm in Keri…
Maternal vitamin D and growth of under-five children
Potential effectiveness of integrating human milk banking and lactation support on neonatal outcomes at Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Kenya
We assessed the potential effectiveness of human milk banking and lactation support on provision of human milk to neonates admitted in the newborn unit (NBU) at Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Kenya. This pre-post intervention study collected data from mothers/caregivers and their vulnerable neonates or term babies who lacked sufficient mother's milk for several reasons admitted in the NBU. The intervention included establishing a human milk bank and…
Burden of disease scenarios for 204 countries and territories, 2022–2050
BACKGROUND: Future trends in disease burden and drivers of health are of great interest to policy makers and the public at large. This information can be used for policy and long-term health investment, planning, and prioritisation. We have expanded and improved upon previous forecasts produced as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) and provide a reference forecast (the most likely future), and alternativ…
Suboptimal nutritional status of school-age children in Addis Ababa
Background: School-aged children (6-14 years old) are susceptible to malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Environmental and behavioral factors greatly influence their nutritional status. This study aimed to examine the association between dietary factors and the nutritional status of school-aged children attending public and private schools in Addis Ababa. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed from March to …
Perceptions towards management of acute malnutrition by community health volunteers in northern Kenya
Child undernutrition is a persistent challenge in arid and semi-arid areas due to low and erratic rainfall, recurrent droughts and food insecurity. In these settings, caregivers face several challenges in accessing health services for sick and/or malnourished children, including long distances to health facilities, harsh terrain, and lack of money to pay for transportation costs to the health facilities, leading to low service coverage and sub-op…
Revolutionising multi-sectoral nutrition policy
The global nutrition and food security crisis, characterised by troubling trends in various forms of malnutrition ranging from hunger to obesity, has significantly worsened [1,2]. In 2021 and 2022, nearly one-third of the global population faced moderate to severe food insecurity, underscoring a persistent challenge in accessing healthy and sustainable diets [1,3]. This decline in [...]
Redefining health priorities
Recent Lancet Global Burden of Disease Study projections highlight a significant transformation in sub-Saharan Africa’s (SSA) health landscape by 2050 [1]. Although global age-standardised disease burden and life expectancy are anticipated to improve, SSA will move from primarily impacted by communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases (CMNNs) to an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). [...]
Treatment of moderate acute malnutrition through community health volunteers is a cost‐effective intervention
Treatment outcomes for acute malnutrition can be improved by integrating treatment into community case management (iCCM). However, little is known about the cost-effectiveness of this integrated nutrition intervention. The present study investigates the cost-effectiveness of treating moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) through community health volunteer (CHV) and integrating it with routine iCCM. A cost-effectiveness model compared the costs and ef…
Low awareness and affordability are major drivers of low consumption of animal‐source foods among children in Northern Ethiopia
Animal-source foods (ASFs), contain high amounts of essential nutrients that are readily absorbed by the body. However, children in resource-constrained settings often have limited access to these nutritious foods. This study aimed to investigate the reasons for the low consumption of ASFs among children in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. A community-based mixed-methods study was conducted, using exploratory qualitative methods supplemented by the…
The impacts of task shifting on the management and treatment of malnourished children in Northern Kenya
Treating children with acute malnutrition can be challenging, particularly regarding access to healthcare facilities during treatment. Task shifting, a strategy of transferring specific tasks to health workers with shorter training and fewer qualifications, is being considered as an effective approach to enhancing health outcomes in primary healthcare. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of integrating the treatment of acute malnutrition…
Heavy on Plans, Light on Delivery
Ethiopia's development ambitions rest on the foundation of a healthy population, yet its nutrition sector remains stalled despite decades of planning and investment. Nearly 38% of children under five are stunted, and food insecurity continues to affect millions. Landmark initiatives like the National Food and Nutrition Policy and the Seqota Declaration demonstrate strong political will-but implementation and scale-up falters due to entrenched str…
A Theology of Health
Medicine (20 works) · Environmental health (18 works) · Child Nutrition and Water Access (14 works) · Population (11 works) · Global Maternal and Child Health (9 works) · Nursing (8 works) · Demography (7 works) · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations (7 works) · Burden of disease (6 works) · Disease (6 works)