Tb research in Ethiopia
Our research group works to develop novel interventions to diagnose, treat, and thus stop transmission of tuberculosis (see list of publications). Through operational research we aim to improve public health interventions and treatment of diseases in real-life situations.
Most recently we asked: Is active case finding necessary to control tuberculosis in developing countries? In a series of papers, Daniel Datiko Gemetchu documented that involving of health extension workers (HEWs) in sputum collection and treatment improved smear-positive case detection and treatment success rate, possibly because of an improved service access. This finding has policy implications and could be applied in settings with low health service coverage and a shortage of health workers.
Recently, National TB Control Programme in Ethiopia started to decentralize case finding and treatment to local communities (in Ethiopia called kebeles) using community based-treatment by health extension workers.
We now plan to follow up our earlier studies and develop a model for community DOTS in rural Ethiopia. We will try to develop community-based tuberculosis registries, and registries of patients with symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis. Through this work we aim to see if active case finding and treatment outcomes can be improved on a larger scale and involving larger populations.
PhD students
Ongoing studies:
Mesay Hailu. Research topic: Improving tuberculosis case detection in Sidama, southern Ethiopia.
Endrias Markos. Research topic: Active case finding of tuberculosis in southern Ethiopia: use of TB suspect registry and effect of indoor air pollution in the incidence of TB
Shallo Daba: Research topic: Improving tuberculosis control programme in Ethiopia: analysing tb programme performance and estimating the prevalence of MDR-TB in Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional State.
Completed PhDs
Daniel Datiko (2011). PhD title: Improving Tuberculosis Control in Ethiopia: performance of TB control programme, community DOTS and its cost-effectiveness.
Estifanos Biru Shargie (2007). PhD title: Trends, challenges and opportunities in tuberculosis control in rural Ethiopia : Epidemiological and operational studies in a resource-constrained setting.
Degu Jerene Dare (2007). PhD title: HIV antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia. Overcoming implementation challenges.
Tesfaye Madebo (2003). PhD title: Clinical and operational challenges in the control of tuberculosis in south Ethiopia.
Meaza Demissie Wondimagegnehu (2002) PhD title: Challenges of tuberculosis control in Ethiopia.