Atalay Alem
Datos Biográficos
| ID | 94881 |
|---|---|
| NOMBRE | Atalay Alem |
| NOMBRES | Atalay |
| APELLIDO | Alem |
| FIRMA | ALEM A |
| AFILIACIONES | Addis Ababa University |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-8353-7185 |
| VERIFICADO | Sí |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 24 |
| TOTAL DE CITAS | 23 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 24 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 0 |
| PRIMER AÑO DE PUBLICACIÓN | 1999 |
| AÑO MÁS RECIENTE DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2026 |
| ÍNDICE H | 2 |
Experiences, needs and priorities of family caregivers of people with severe mental health conditions in low- and middle-income countries
Family caregivers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) provide the lion’s share of care for their relatives with severe mental health conditions amid vast treatment gaps. Yet, their lived experiences are not adequately explored. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the lived experiences, priorities and needs of these caregivers across diverse LMIC settings. We analyzed 76 articles identified across nine databases. Data were synth…
Identification of psychosocial problems in routine antenatal care in Ethiopia
In this facility-based cross-sectional survey in primary health care centres in southern Ethiopia, women attending for antenatal care (ANC) were screened for depression (PHQ-9; score ≥ 5 and functionally impaired), anxiety symptoms (GAD-7; score ≥ 10), post-traumatic stress disorder (PCL-5 score ≥ 31), intimate partner violence (IPV; non-graphic language screening test) and risky substance use (ASSIST). Clinical notes were reviewed post-consultat…
Food insecurity and perinatal depression among pregnant women in Bunmap cohort in Ethiopia
Objective: To assess the effect of food insecurity on perinatal depression in rural Ethiopia. Design: We used a prospective cohort in which food insecurity was considered as primary exposure and perinatal depression as an outcome. Food insecurity at baseline (in the period of 8–24 weeks of pregnancy) was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), and perinatal depression at follow-up (in 32–36 weeks of pregnancy) was measu…
HeAlth System StrEngThening in four sub-Saharan African countries (Asset) to achieve high-quality, evidence-informed surgical, maternal and newborn, and primary care
To achieve universal health coverage, health system strengthening (HSS) is required to support the of delivery of high-quality care. The aim of the National Institute for Health Research Global Research Unit on HeAlth System StrEngThening in Sub-Saharan Africa (ASSET) is to address this need in a four-year programme, with three healthcare platforms involving eight work-packages. Key to effective health system strengthening (HSS) is the pre-implem…
Incidence of depression in people with newly diagnosed tuberculosis in Ethiopia
There was high incidence of probable depression in people undergoing treatment for newly diagnosed TB. The persistence and incidence of depression beyond 6 months need to be studied. TB treatment guidelines should have mental health component
Stuck in the middle
Is depression associated with pathways to care and diagnosis delay in people with tuberculosis in Ethiopia
People with TB who had co-morbid probable depression visited the modern health care as directly as and as soon as those without co-morbid depression. How socio-demographic factors influence pathways to care and diagnosis delay require qualitative exploration
Construct validity and factor structure of sense of coherence (SoC-13) scale as a measure of resilience in Eritrean refugees living in Ethiopia
Although the 13-items of the Tigrigna version of the SoC scale loaded significantly onto their respective factors in the three factor model, only 12 items loaded significantly onto the one factor model, which demonstrated superior fit to the current data. Keeping in mind that future research should examine the conceptualizations of the four items demonstrating poor convergent validity in this Eritrean sample, the reduced Tigrigna version of SoC-1…
Mental health problems and socioeconomic disadvantage
Households with a member who had either SMD or depression were socioeconomically disadvantaged compared to the general population. Moreover, higher disability was associated with worse socio-economic disadvantage. Prospective studies are needed to determine the direction of association. This study indicates a need to consider households of people with SMD or depression as a vulnerable group requiring economic support alongside access to evidence-…
Catastrophic health expenditure and impoverishment in households of persons with depression
Households of people with depression and high disability were more likely to face catastrophic expenditures and impoverishment from OOP payments. Financial protection interventions through prepayment schemes, exemptions and fee waiver strategies need to target households of persons with depression
Strengthening mental health system governance in six low- and middle-income countries in Africa and South Asia
Poor governance has been identified as a barrier to effective integration of mental health care in low- and middle-income countries. Governance includes providing the necessary policy and legislative framework to promote and protect the mental health of a population, as well as health system design and quality assurance to ensure optimal policy implementation. The aim of this study was to identify key governance challenges, needs and potential st…
Developing mental health research in sub-Saharan Africa
Having protected time for research is a barrier to carrying out research activities for busy clinicians. Funders could support sustainability of capacity-building initiatives through funds for travel and study leave. Adoption of a train-the-trainers model for specialist skills training and strategies for improving the rigor of evaluation of capacity-building activities should be considered
Participatory planning of a primary care service for people with severe mental disorders in rural Ethiopia
Little is understood about the feasibility and acceptability of primary care-based models of task-sharing care for people with severe mental disorders (SMDs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A participatory planning approach was adopted in preparation for the transition from hospital-delivered psychiatric care for SMD to a primary care-based, task-sharing model in a rural Ethiopian community. In this article, we present findings from …
Indicators for routine monitoring of effective mental healthcare coverage in low- and middle-income settings
High-quality information to measure the need for, and the uptake, cost, quality and impact of care is essential in the pursuit of scaling up mental health care in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The aim of this study was to identify indicators for the measurement of effective coverage of mental health treatment. We conducted a two-round Delphi study (n = 93 experts from primarily LMIC countries Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Nigeria, South Afri…
Khat chewing in persons with severe mental illness in Ethiopia
People with severe mental illness (SMI) in Ethiopia chew khat despite advice from their physicians to desist. We wanted to better understand their reasons for khat chewing, including any benefits that they might gain. A qualitative study was conducted involving patients with SMI and their caregivers in Butajira. Reasons given by patients as well as caregivers were more or less congruent: social pressure, a means for survival by improving function…
Prevalence and predictors of undernutrition among infants aged six and twelve months in Butajira, Ethiopia
There was a high prevalence of undernutrition in the first year of infancy in this rural Ethiopia population, with significant gender imbalance. Our prospective study highlighted the importance of prenatal maternal nutritional status and household sanitary facilities as potential targets for intervention
Maternal common mental disorders and infant development in Ethiopia
The study supports the hypothesis that it is the accumulation of risk exposures across time rather than early exposure to maternal CMD per se that is more likely to affect child development. Further investigation of the impact of chronicity of maternal CMD upon child development in LAMICs is indicated. In the Ethiopian setting, poverty, interpersonal violence and infant undernutrition should be targets for interventions to reduce the loss of chil…
Prevalence and risk factors for soil-transmitted helminth infection in mothers and their infants in Butajira, Ethiopia
In this rural Ethiopian community with a relatively high prevalence of STH infection, we found a reduced risk of infection in relation to maternal hygiene and urban living. Daily use of soap and a safe supply of water are likely to reduce the risk of STH infection
Migration and Mental Health
Background: Few studies have explored influences on mental health of migrants moving between non-Western countries. Methods: Focus group discussions were used to explore the experiences of Ethiopian female domestic migrants to Middle Eastern countries, comparing those who developed severe mental illness with those remaining mentally well. Discussion: Prominent self-identified threats to mental health included exploitative treatment, enforced cult…
Postnatal mental distress in relation to the sociocultural practices of childbirth
Sociocultural patterning of the postnatal period in non-Western settings has been hypothesised to protect against postnatal depression. In 2004, in a predominantly rural area of Ethiopia, we conducted 25 in-depth interviews and five focus group discussions with purposively selected participants including perinatal women, fathers, grandmothers, traditional and religious leaders, birth attendants and community leaders. Our main objectives were (1) …
Khat and alcohol use and risky sex behaviour among in-school and out-of-school youth in Ethiopia
A substantial proportion of out-of-school youth engage in risky sex. The use of Khat and alcohol and other substances is significantly and independently associated with risky sexual behaviour among Ethiopian youths
An Evaluation of Two Screening Methods to Identify Cases with Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders in a Community Survey in Rural Ethiopia
Background: Detecting cases with psychiatric disorders in the general population is costly and it is not clear which is the method of choice for community surveys in low-income countries. Aim: To compare the performance of a standardized diagnostic layman interview instrument-the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 2.1) versus the Key Informant method in identifying cases with schizophrenia and major affective disorders in a commun…
Addressing birth in Gaza
Purchasing a quick fix from private pharmacies in the Gaza Strip
Strengthening mental health system governance in six low- and middle-income countries in Africa and South Asia
Poor governance has been identified as a barrier to effective integration of mental health care in low- and middle-income countries. Governance includes providing the necessary policy and legislative framework to promote and protect the mental health of a population, as well as health system design and quality assurance to ensure optimal policy implementation. The aim of this study was to identify key governance challenges, needs and potential st…
Purchasing a quick fix from private pharmacies in the Gaza Strip
Khat chewing in persons with severe mental illness in Ethiopia
People with severe mental illness (SMI) in Ethiopia chew khat despite advice from their physicians to desist. We wanted to better understand their reasons for khat chewing, including any benefits that they might gain. A qualitative study was conducted involving patients with SMI and their caregivers in Butajira. Reasons given by patients as well as caregivers were more or less congruent: social pressure, a means for survival by improving function…
Postnatal mental distress in relation to the sociocultural practices of childbirth
Sociocultural patterning of the postnatal period in non-Western settings has been hypothesised to protect against postnatal depression. In 2004, in a predominantly rural area of Ethiopia, we conducted 25 in-depth interviews and five focus group discussions with purposively selected participants including perinatal women, fathers, grandmothers, traditional and religious leaders, birth attendants and community leaders. Our main objectives were (1) …
Participatory planning of a primary care service for people with severe mental disorders in rural Ethiopia
Little is understood about the feasibility and acceptability of primary care-based models of task-sharing care for people with severe mental disorders (SMDs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A participatory planning approach was adopted in preparation for the transition from hospital-delivered psychiatric care for SMD to a primary care-based, task-sharing model in a rural Ethiopian community. In this article, we present findings from …
Addressing birth in Gaza
Addressing birth in Gaza
Purchasing a quick fix from private pharmacies in the Gaza Strip
An Evaluation of Two Screening Methods to Identify Cases with Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders in a Community Survey in Rural Ethiopia
Background: Detecting cases with psychiatric disorders in the general population is costly and it is not clear which is the method of choice for community surveys in low-income countries. Aim: To compare the performance of a standardized diagnostic layman interview instrument-the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 2.1) versus the Key Informant method in identifying cases with schizophrenia and major affective disorders in a commun…
Khat and alcohol use and risky sex behaviour among in-school and out-of-school youth in Ethiopia
A substantial proportion of out-of-school youth engage in risky sex. The use of Khat and alcohol and other substances is significantly and independently associated with risky sexual behaviour among Ethiopian youths
Migration and Mental Health
Background: Few studies have explored influences on mental health of migrants moving between non-Western countries. Methods: Focus group discussions were used to explore the experiences of Ethiopian female domestic migrants to Middle Eastern countries, comparing those who developed severe mental illness with those remaining mentally well. Discussion: Prominent self-identified threats to mental health included exploitative treatment, enforced cult…
Postnatal mental distress in relation to the sociocultural practices of childbirth
Sociocultural patterning of the postnatal period in non-Western settings has been hypothesised to protect against postnatal depression. In 2004, in a predominantly rural area of Ethiopia, we conducted 25 in-depth interviews and five focus group discussions with purposively selected participants including perinatal women, fathers, grandmothers, traditional and religious leaders, birth attendants and community leaders. Our main objectives were (1) …
Prevalence and predictors of undernutrition among infants aged six and twelve months in Butajira, Ethiopia
There was a high prevalence of undernutrition in the first year of infancy in this rural Ethiopia population, with significant gender imbalance. Our prospective study highlighted the importance of prenatal maternal nutritional status and household sanitary facilities as potential targets for intervention
Maternal common mental disorders and infant development in Ethiopia
The study supports the hypothesis that it is the accumulation of risk exposures across time rather than early exposure to maternal CMD per se that is more likely to affect child development. Further investigation of the impact of chronicity of maternal CMD upon child development in LAMICs is indicated. In the Ethiopian setting, poverty, interpersonal violence and infant undernutrition should be targets for interventions to reduce the loss of chil…
Prevalence and risk factors for soil-transmitted helminth infection in mothers and their infants in Butajira, Ethiopia
In this rural Ethiopian community with a relatively high prevalence of STH infection, we found a reduced risk of infection in relation to maternal hygiene and urban living. Daily use of soap and a safe supply of water are likely to reduce the risk of STH infection
Khat chewing in persons with severe mental illness in Ethiopia
People with severe mental illness (SMI) in Ethiopia chew khat despite advice from their physicians to desist. We wanted to better understand their reasons for khat chewing, including any benefits that they might gain. A qualitative study was conducted involving patients with SMI and their caregivers in Butajira. Reasons given by patients as well as caregivers were more or less congruent: social pressure, a means for survival by improving function…
Developing mental health research in sub-Saharan Africa
Having protected time for research is a barrier to carrying out research activities for busy clinicians. Funders could support sustainability of capacity-building initiatives through funds for travel and study leave. Adoption of a train-the-trainers model for specialist skills training and strategies for improving the rigor of evaluation of capacity-building activities should be considered
Participatory planning of a primary care service for people with severe mental disorders in rural Ethiopia
Little is understood about the feasibility and acceptability of primary care-based models of task-sharing care for people with severe mental disorders (SMDs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A participatory planning approach was adopted in preparation for the transition from hospital-delivered psychiatric care for SMD to a primary care-based, task-sharing model in a rural Ethiopian community. In this article, we present findings from …
Indicators for routine monitoring of effective mental healthcare coverage in low- and middle-income settings
High-quality information to measure the need for, and the uptake, cost, quality and impact of care is essential in the pursuit of scaling up mental health care in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The aim of this study was to identify indicators for the measurement of effective coverage of mental health treatment. We conducted a two-round Delphi study (n = 93 experts from primarily LMIC countries Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Nigeria, South Afri…
Strengthening mental health system governance in six low- and middle-income countries in Africa and South Asia
Poor governance has been identified as a barrier to effective integration of mental health care in low- and middle-income countries. Governance includes providing the necessary policy and legislative framework to promote and protect the mental health of a population, as well as health system design and quality assurance to ensure optimal policy implementation. The aim of this study was to identify key governance challenges, needs and potential st…
Stuck in the middle
Is depression associated with pathways to care and diagnosis delay in people with tuberculosis in Ethiopia
People with TB who had co-morbid probable depression visited the modern health care as directly as and as soon as those without co-morbid depression. How socio-demographic factors influence pathways to care and diagnosis delay require qualitative exploration
Construct validity and factor structure of sense of coherence (SoC-13) scale as a measure of resilience in Eritrean refugees living in Ethiopia
Although the 13-items of the Tigrigna version of the SoC scale loaded significantly onto their respective factors in the three factor model, only 12 items loaded significantly onto the one factor model, which demonstrated superior fit to the current data. Keeping in mind that future research should examine the conceptualizations of the four items demonstrating poor convergent validity in this Eritrean sample, the reduced Tigrigna version of SoC-1…
Mental health problems and socioeconomic disadvantage
Households with a member who had either SMD or depression were socioeconomically disadvantaged compared to the general population. Moreover, higher disability was associated with worse socio-economic disadvantage. Prospective studies are needed to determine the direction of association. This study indicates a need to consider households of people with SMD or depression as a vulnerable group requiring economic support alongside access to evidence-…
Catastrophic health expenditure and impoverishment in households of persons with depression
Households of people with depression and high disability were more likely to face catastrophic expenditures and impoverishment from OOP payments. Financial protection interventions through prepayment schemes, exemptions and fee waiver strategies need to target households of persons with depression
Incidence of depression in people with newly diagnosed tuberculosis in Ethiopia
There was high incidence of probable depression in people undergoing treatment for newly diagnosed TB. The persistence and incidence of depression beyond 6 months need to be studied. TB treatment guidelines should have mental health component
HeAlth System StrEngThening in four sub-Saharan African countries (Asset) to achieve high-quality, evidence-informed surgical, maternal and newborn, and primary care
To achieve universal health coverage, health system strengthening (HSS) is required to support the of delivery of high-quality care. The aim of the National Institute for Health Research Global Research Unit on HeAlth System StrEngThening in Sub-Saharan Africa (ASSET) is to address this need in a four-year programme, with three healthcare platforms involving eight work-packages. Key to effective health system strengthening (HSS) is the pre-implem…
Food insecurity and perinatal depression among pregnant women in Bunmap cohort in Ethiopia
Objective: To assess the effect of food insecurity on perinatal depression in rural Ethiopia. Design: We used a prospective cohort in which food insecurity was considered as primary exposure and perinatal depression as an outcome. Food insecurity at baseline (in the period of 8–24 weeks of pregnancy) was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), and perinatal depression at follow-up (in 32–36 weeks of pregnancy) was measu…
Experiences, needs and priorities of family caregivers of people with severe mental health conditions in low- and middle-income countries
Family caregivers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) provide the lion’s share of care for their relatives with severe mental health conditions amid vast treatment gaps. Yet, their lived experiences are not adequately explored. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the lived experiences, priorities and needs of these caregivers across diverse LMIC settings. We analyzed 76 articles identified across nine databases. Data were synth…
Identification of psychosocial problems in routine antenatal care in Ethiopia
In this facility-based cross-sectional survey in primary health care centres in southern Ethiopia, women attending for antenatal care (ANC) were screened for depression (PHQ-9; score ≥ 5 and functionally impaired), anxiety symptoms (GAD-7; score ≥ 10), post-traumatic stress disorder (PCL-5 score ≥ 31), intimate partner violence (IPV; non-graphic language screening test) and risky substance use (ASSIST). Clinical notes were reviewed post-consultat…
Medicine (20 obras) · Psychiatry (14 obras) · Environmental health (11 obras) · Mental health (10 obras) · Mental Health Treatment and Access (8 obras) · Psychology (8 obras) · Global Maternal and Child Health (7 obras) · Population (7 obras) · Business (6 obras) · Demography (6 obras)