Dr Desalegn Markos Shifti
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Child Health Research Centre
Researcher biography
Dr Desalegn Markos Shifti (PhD, MSc, BSc) is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Child Health Research Centre (CHRC) at the University of Queensland. He is currently engaged in the comprehensive investigation of the prevalence, natural history, causes and consequences of allergic diseases.
Desalegn obtained his PhD in Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics from the University of Newcastle, Australia, in 2022. Before pursuing his PhD, Desalegn worked as an Assistant Professor, Lecturer, and Graduate Assistant at various universities in Ethiopia, where he held both academic and research roles.
Desalegn has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed research articles published in high-impact journals, such as the Lancet, JAMA Paediatrics, JAMA Oncology, and the International Journal of Public Health. He has expertise in several epidemiological and statistical skills, including generalised linear modelling, multilevel modelling, causal inferences for observational studies, mediation analysis, socio-economic assessment, geospatial analysis, big data analysis, systematic review, meta-analysis, and network meta-analysis.
Desalegn collaborates widely with public and clinical health researchers within Australia, low and middle-income countries, and internationally, across epidemiological studies. Key areas of interest and collaboration include allergies, maternal and child health, Indigenous health and well-being, reproductive health, health services research, chronic disease, and public health.
Journal Articles
Thapa, Subash, Ahmed, Kedir Y., Bizuayehu, Habtamu Mellie, Huda, M. Mamun, Chalise, Binaya, Bore, Meless G., Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Hassen, Tahir A., Amsalu, Erkihun, Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Seid, Abdulbasit, Mesfin, Yonatan M., Tegegne, Teketo Kassaw, Dadi, Abel F., Odo, Daniel Bogale, Kibret, Getiye Dejenu, Ketema, Daniel Bekele, Kassa, Zemenu Yohannes, Anyasodor, Anayochukwu E., Mahmood, Shakeel, Astawesegn, Feleke Hailemichael and Ross, Allen G. (2024). Trends and social determinants of the obesity epidemic among reproductive-age women in ten Asian countries. Scientific Reports, 14 (1) 22545. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-73522-5
Bizuayehu, Habtamu Mellie, Dadi, Abel F., Ahmed, Kedir Y., Tegegne, Teketo Kassaw, Hassen, Tahir Ahmed, Kibret, Getiye Dejenu, Ketema, Daniel Bekele, Bore, Meless G., Thapa, Subash, Odo, Daniel Bogale, Kassa, Zemenu Y., Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Amsalu, Erkihun, Sarich, Peter, Venchiarutti, Rebecca L., Melaku, Yohannes Adama, Kibret, Kelemu Tilahun, Habte, Aklilu, Mefsin, Yonatan M., Seid, Abdulbasit and Belachew, Sewunet Admasu (2024). Burden of 30 cancers among men: Global statistics in 2022 and projections for 2050 using population-based estimates. Cancer, 130 (21), 3708-3723. doi: 10.1002/cncr.35458
Dadi, Abel F, Ahmed, Kedir Y, Berhane, Yemane, Bizuayehu, Habtamu Mellie, Tesema, Getayeneh Antehunegn, Hassen, Tahir A, Kibret, Getiye Dejenu, Ketema, Daniel Bekele, Bore, Meless G, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Amsalu, Erkihun, Nhassengo, Sergio, Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Seid, Abdulbasit, Mesfin, Yonatan M, Tegegne, Teketo Kassaw, Odo, Daniel Bogale, Kassa, Zemenu Yohannes, Thapa, Subash, Kidane, Eshetu Girma, Desyibelew, Hanna Demelash, Misganaw, Awoke, Zeleke, Berihun M, Bolarinwa, Obasanjo Afolabi and Ross, Allen G (2024). Intimate partner violence and childhood health outcomes in 37 sub-Saharan African countries: an analysis of demographic health survey data from 2011 to 2022. The Lancet Global Health, 12 (11), e1785-e1793. doi: 10.1016/s2214-109x(24)00313-9
Harris, Melissa L., Loxton, Deborah, Hassen, Tahir Ahmed, Shifti, Desalegn M., the Ethiopian WWOMB student alumni, Beyene, Tesfalidet, Feyissa, Tesfaye R., Bizuayehu, Habtamu M., Musa, Abdulbasit, Tegegne, Teketo K., Tiruye, Tenaw Y., Beyene, Addisu S., Melka, Alemu S., Geleto, Ayele, Tesfaye, Gezahegn, Kiross, Girmay T., Kibret, Kelemu T., Meazaw, Maereg W. and Chojenta, Catherine (2024). Worldwide Wellness of Mothers and Babies (WWOMB): program overview and lessons learned from Ethiopia. Archives of Public Health, 82 (1) 190. doi: 10.1186/s13690-024-01419-w
Koplin, Jennifer J., Shifti, Desalegn Markos and Peters, Rachel L. (2024). Quantifying the impact of earlier allergen introduction on food allergy and anaphylaxis rates. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 12 (9), 2445-2446. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.06.048
Tegegne, Teketo Kassaw, Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Rawstorn, Jonathan Charles, Jansons, Paul, Zhang, Yuxin, Daryabeygikhotbehsara, Reza, Islam, Sheikh Mohammed Shariful and Maddison, Ralph (2024). Digital lifestyle interventions for cardiovascular risk reduction: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Health Policy and Technology, 13 (3) 100879, 100879. doi: 10.1016/j.hlpt.2024.100879
Seid, Abdulbasit, Cumpston, Miranda S., Ahmed, Kedir Y., Bizuayehu, Habtamu Mellie, Thapa, Subash, Tegegne, Teketo Kassaw, Dadi, Abel F., Odo, Daniel Bogale, Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Kibret, Getiye Dejenu, Ketema, Daniel Bekele, Kassa, Zemenu Yohannes, Amsalu, Erkihun, Bore, Meless G. and Hassen, Tahir Ahmed (2024). The intergenerational association of preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BJOG. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.17924
Hassen, Tahir Ahmed, Harris, Melissa L., Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Beyene, Tesfalidet, Khan, Md Nuruzzaman, Feyissa, Tesfaye Regassa and Chojenta, Catherine (2024). Effects of short inter-pregnancy/birth interval on adverse perinatal outcomes in Asia-Pacific region: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One, 19 (7 July) e0307942, e0307942. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307942
Soriano, Victoria X., Allen, Katrina J., Dharmage, Shyamali C., Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Perrett, Kirsten P., Wijesuriya, Rushani, Koplin, Jennifer J. and Peters, Rachel L. (2024). Prevalence and determinants of food allergy in the era of early allergen introduction: the EarlyNuts population-based study. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 12 (11), 3068-3078.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.07.001
Ahmed, Kedir Y., Thapa, Subash, Hassen, Tahir A., Tegegne, Teketo Kassaw, Dadi, Abel F., Odo, Daniel Bogale, Bizuayehu, Habtamu Mellie, Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Kibret, Getiye Dejenu, Ketema, Daniel Bekele, Kassa, Zemenu Yohannes, Amsalu, Erkihun, Bore, Meless G., Seid, Abdulbasit, Mesfin, Yonatan M., Kibret, Kelemu Tilahun, Huda, M. Mamun, Mahmood, Shakeel, Anyasodor, Anayochukwu E. and Ross, Allen G. (2024). Population modifiable risk factors associated with neonatal mortality in 35 sub-Saharan Africa countries: analysis of data from demographic and health surveys. EClinicalMedicine, 73 102682, 102682. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102682
Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Soriano, Victoria X., Perrett, Kirsten P., Dharmage, Shyamali C., Allen, Katrina J., Peters, Rachel L. and Koplin, Jennifer J. (2024). Milk and egg allergy are associated with increased risk of peanut allergy at age 1 in Australia. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 12 (10), 2868-2869.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.06.033
Kassa, Rahel Nega, Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Alemu, Kassahun and Omigbodun, Akinyinka O. (2024). Integration of cervical cancer screening into healthcare facilities in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review. PLoS Global Public Health, 4 (5) e0003183, 1-22. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003183
Hassen, Tahir Ahmed, Chojenta, Catherine, Khan, Md Nuruzzaman, Shifti, Desalegn Markos and Harris, Melissa Leigh (2024). Short birth interval in the Asia-Pacific region: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Global Health, 14 04072. doi: 10.7189/jogh.14.04072
Khan, Md Nuruzzaman, Harris, Melissa L., Hassen, Tahir A., Bagade, Tanmay, Shifti, Desalegn M., Feyissa, Tesfaye R. and Chojenta, Catherine (2024). Effects of short birth interval on child malnutrition in the Asia-Pacific region: evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis. Maternal and Child Nutrition, 20 (3) e13643. doi: 10.1111/mcn.13643
Kassa, Rahel Nega, Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Alemu, Kassahun and Omigbodun, Akinyinka O (2024). Integration of cervical cancer screening into healthcare facilities in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open, 14 (1) e078466, 1-4. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078466
Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Chojenta, Catherine, Hassen, Tahir Ahmed and Harris, Melissa L (2023). Short birth interval prevalence, determinants and effects on maternal and child health outcomes in Asia-Pacific region: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. BMJ Open, 13 (12) e076908, 1-5. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076908
Laar, Alexander Suuk, Harris, Melissa L., Shifti, Desalegn Markos and Loxton, Deborah (2022). Perspectives of health care professionals’ on delivering mHealth sexual and reproductive health services in rural settings in low-and-middle-income countries: a qualitative systematic review. BMC Health Services Research, 22 (1) 1141, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/s12913-022-08512-2
Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Chojenta, Catherine, Holliday, Elizabeth G. and Loxton, Deborah (2022). Maternal anemia and baby birth size mediate the association between short birth interval and under-five undernutrition in Ethiopia: a generalized structural equation modeling approach. BMC Pediatrics, 22 (1) 108, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/s12887-022-03169-6
Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Chojenta, Catherine, Holliday, Elizabeth and Loxton, Deborah (2021). Effects of short birth interval on neonatal, infant and under-five child mortality in Ethiopia: a nationally representative observational study using inverse probability of treatment weighting. BMJ Open, 11 (8) e047892, 1-10. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047892
Gesesew, Hailay Abrha, Koye, Digsu Negese, Fetene, Dagnachew Muluye, Woldegiorgis, Mulu, Kinfu, Yohannes, Geleto, Ayele Bali, Melaku, Yohannes Adama, Mohammed, Hassen, Alene, Kefyalew Addis, Awoke, Mamaru Ayenew, Birhanu, Mulugeta Molla, Gebremedhin, Amanuel Tesfay, Gelaw, Yalemzewod Assefa, Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Muluneh, Muluken Dessalegn, Tegegne, Teketo Kassaw, Abrha, Solomon, Aregay, Atsede Fantahun, Ayalew, Mohammed Biset, Gebre, Abadi Kahsu, Gebremariam, Kidane Tadesse, Gebremedhin, Tesfaye, Gebremichael, Lemlem, Leshargie, Cheru Tesema, Kibret, Getiye Dejenu, Meazaw, Maereg Wagnew, Mekonnen, Alemayehu Berhane, Tekle, Dejen Yemane, Tesema, Azeb Gebresilassie ... Adane, Akilew Awoke (2021). Risk factors for COVID-19 infection, disease severity and related deaths in Africa: a systematic review. BMJ Open, 11 (2) e044618, 1-10. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044618
Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Chojenta, Catherine, Holliday, Elizabeth G. and Loxton, Deborah (2020). Socioeconomic inequality in short birth interval in Ethiopia: a decomposition analysis. BMC Public Health, 20 (1) 1504, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-09537-0
Local Burden of Disease Diarrhoea Collaborators, Endalamaw, Aklilu, Mamun, Abdullah A., Maravilla, Joemer, Hasan, Md. Mehedi and Shifti, Desalegn Markos (2020). Mapping geographical inequalities in oral rehydration therapy coverage in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000-17. The Lancet Global health, 8 (8), e1038-e1060. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30230-8
Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Chojenta, Catherine, Holliday, Elizabeth G. and Loxton, Deborah (2020). Application of geographically weighted regression analysis to assess predictors of short birth interval hot spots in Ethiopia. PLoS One, 15 (5) e0233790, 1-18. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233790
Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Chojenta, Catherine, G. Holliday, Elizabeth and Loxton, Deborah (2020). Individual and community level determinants of short birth interval in Ethiopia: A multilevel analysis. PLoS One, 15 (1) e0227798, 1-17. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227798
Khan, Md Nuruzzaman, Harris, Melissa L., Shifti, Desalegn Markos, Laar, Alexander Suuk and Loxton, Deborah (2019). Effects of unintended pregnancy on maternal healthcare services utilization in low- and lower-middle-income countries: systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Public Health, 64 (5), 743-754. doi: 10.1007/s00038-019-01238-9
Alsharif, Ubai, El Bcheraoui, Charbel, Khalil, Ibrahim, Charara, Raghid, Moradi-Lakeh, Maziar, Afshin, Ashkan, Collison, Michael, Chew, Adrienne, Krohn, Kristopher J., Daoud, Farah, Dicker, Daniel, Foreman, Kyle J., Frostad, Joseph, Kassebaum, Nicholas J., Kutz, Michael, Wang, Haidong, Abyu, Gebre Yitayih, Adedeji, Isaac Akinkunmi, Ahmad Kiadaliri, Aliasghar, Ahmed, Muktar Beshir, Al-Eyadhy, Ayman, Alam, Khurshid, Alasfoor, Deena, Ali, Raghib, Alizadeh-Navaei, Reza, Al-Raddadi, Rajaa, Altirkawi, Khalid A., Alvis-Guzman, Nelson, Amini, Erfan ... Fitzmaurice, Christina (2018). Burden of cancer in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2005–2015: findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2015 Study. International Journal of Public Health, 63, 151-164. doi: 10.1007/s00038-017-0999-9
Mokdad, Ali H., El Bcheraoui, Charbel, Wang, Haidong, Charara, Raghid, Khalil, Ibrahim, Moradi-Lakeh, Maziar, Afshin, Ashkan, Collison, Michael, Daoud, Farah, Chew, Adrienne, Krohn, Kristopher J., Carter, Austin, Foreman, Kyle J., He, Fei, Kassebaum, Nicholas J., Kutz, Michael, Mirarefin, Mojde, Nguyen, Grant, Silpakit, Naris, Sligar, Amber, Abajobir, Amanuel Alemu, Abate, Kalkidan Hassen, Abbas, Kaja M., Abd-Allah, Foad, Abera, Semaw Ferede, Adane, Kelemework, Agarwal, Arnav, Kiadaliri, Aliasghar Ahmad, Ahmadi, Alireza ... GBD 2015 Eastern Mediterranean Region HIV/AIDS Collaborators (2018). Trends in HIV/AIDS morbidity and mortality in eastern Mediterranean countries, 1990-2015: findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2015 study. International Journal of Public Health, 63 (Supplement 1), 123-136. doi: 10.1007/s00038-017-1023-0
Markos Shifti, Desalegn and Bekele, Kebebe (2018). Generalized peritonitis after spontaneous rupture of pyonephrosis: a case report. International Medical Case Reports Journal, 11, 113-116. doi: 10.2147/imcrj.s159010
Murray, Christopher J. L., Kyu, Hmwe H., Maddison, Emilie R., Henry, Nathaniel J., Mumford, John Everett, Barber, Ryan, Shields, Chloe, Brown, Jonathan C., Nguyen, Grant, Carter, Austin, Wolock, Timothy M., Wang, Haidong, Liu, Patrick Y., Reitsma, Marissa, Ross, Jennifer M., Abajobir, Amanuel Alemu, Abate, Kalkidan Hassen, Abbas, Kaja, Abera, Mubarek, Abera, Semaw Ferede, Hareri, Habtamu Abera, Ahmed, Muktar, Alene, Kefyalew Addis, Alvis-Guzman, Nelson, Amo-Adjei, Joshua, Andrews, Jason, Ansari, Hossein, Antonio, Carl Abelardo, Anwari, Palwasha ... Vos, Theo (2018). The global burden of tuberculosis: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. Lancet Infectious Diseases, 18 (3), 261-284. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(17)30703-X
Bekele, Kebebe and Markos, Desalegn (2017). Left-sided incarcerated Amyand’s hernia with cecum and terminal ileum: a case report. International Medical Case Reports Journal, 10, 349-352. doi: 10.2147/imcrj.s147177
Naghavi, Mohsen, Abajobir, Amanuel Alemu, Abbafati, Cristiana, Abbas, Kaja M., Abd-Allah, Foad, Abera, Semaw Ferede, Aboyans, Victor, Adetokunboh, Olatunji, Arnlov, Johan, Afshin, Ashkan, Agrawal, Anurag, Kiadaliri, Aliasghar Ahmad, Ahmadi, Alireza, Ahmed, Muktar Beshir, Aichour, Amani Nidhal, Aichour, Ibtihel, Aichour, Miloud Taki Eddine, Aiyar, Sneha, Al-Eyadhy, Ayman, Alahdab, Fares, Al-Aly, Ziyad, Alam, Khurshid, Alam, Noore, Alam, Tahiya, Alene, Kefyalew Addis, Ali, Syed Danish, Alizadeh-Navaei, Reza, Alkaabi, Juma M., Alkerwi, Ala'a ... GBD 2016 Causes of Death Collaborators (2017). Global, regional, and national age-sex specific mortality for 264 causes of death, 1980-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. Lancet, 390 (10100), 1151-1210. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32152-9
Kassebaum, Nicholas, Hmwe Kyu, Hmwe, Zoeckler, Leo, Elizabeth Olsen, Helen, Thomas, Katie, Pinho, Christine, Bhutta, Zulfiqar A., Dandona, Lalit, Ferrari, Alize, Ghiwot, Tsegaye Tewelde, Hay, Simon I., Kinfu, Yohannes, Liang, Xiaofeng, Lopez, Alan, Carvalho Malta, Deborah, Mokdad, Ali H., Naghavi, Mohsen, Patton, George C., Salomon, Joshua, Sartorius, Benn, Topor-Madry, Roman, Vollset, Stein Emil, Werdecker, Andrea, Whiteford, Harvey A., Abate, Kalkidan Hasen, Abbas, Kaja, Damtew, Solomon Abrha, Ahmed, Muktar Beshir, Akseer, Nadia ... Vos, Theo (2017). Child and adolescent health from 1990 to 2015 findings from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors 2015 study. JAMA Pediatrics, 171 (6), 573-592. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.0250
Fitzmaurice, Christina, Allen, Christine, Barber, Ryan M., Barregard, Lars, Bhutta, Zulfiqar A., Brenner, Hermann, Dicker, Daniel J., Chimed-Orchir, Odgerel, Dandona, Rakhi, Dandona, Lalit, Fleming, Tom, Forouzanfar, Mohammad H., Hancock, Jamie, Hay, Roderick J., Hunter-Merrill, Rachel, Huynh, Chantal, Hosgood, H. Dean, Johnson, Catherine O., Jonas, Jost B., Khubchandani, Jagdish, Kumar, G. Anil, Kutz, Michael, Lan, Qing, Larson, Heidi J., Liang, Xiaofeng, Lim, Stephen S., Lopez, Alan D., MacIntyre, Michael F., Marczak, Laurie ... Naghavi, Mohsen (2017). Global, regional, and national cancer incidence, mortality, years of life lost, years lived with disability, and disability-adjusted life-years for 32 cancer groups, 1990 to 2015: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study Global Burden of Disease Cancer Collaboration. JAMA Oncology, 3 (4), 524-548. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2016.5688
Markos, D. and Bogale, D. (2016). Knowledge and utilization of partograph among health care professionals in public health institutions of Bale zone, Southeast Ethiopia. Public Health, 137, 162-168. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2016.02.026
Markos, Desalegn and Bogale, Daniel (2015). Documentation status of the modified World Health Organization partograph in public health institutions of Bale zone, Ethiopia. Reproductive Health, 12 (1) 81. doi: 10.1186/s12978-015-0074-z
Bogale, Daniel and Markos, Desalegn (2015). Knowledge of obstetric danger signs among child bearing age women in Goba district, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 15 (1) 77. doi: 10.1186/s12884-015-0508-1
Bogale, Daniel, Markos, Desalegn and Kaso, Muhammedawel (2015). Intention toward the continuation of female genital mutilation in Bale Zone, Ethiopia. International Journal of Women's Health, 7, 85-93. doi: 10.2147/ijwh.s74832
Bogale, Daniel, Markos, Desalegn and Kaso, Muhammedawel (2014). Prevalence of female genital mutilation and its effect on women’s health in Bale zone, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 14 (1) 1076. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-1076
Markos, Desalegn and Bogale, Daniel (2014). Birth preparedness and complication readiness among women of child bearing age group in Goba woreda, Oromia region, Ethiopia. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 14 (1) 282, 1-9. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-14-282
Conference Paper
Tegegne, Teketo K., Shifti, Desalegn M., Rawstorn, Jonathan C., Jansons, Paul, Zhang, Yuxin, Daryabeygikhotbehsara, Reza, Shariful Islam, Sheikh Mohammed and Maddison, Ralph (2024). Digital lifestyle interventions for cardiovascular risk reduction: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. ANZOS (Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society) Conference 2024, Sydney, NSW Australia, 16-18 October 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2024.09.088