Dr. Sewunet Admasu Belachew (PhD, MSc, BPharm) is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the FNCWR Program at the University of Queensland. He is involved in big, linked data analysis surrounding cancer, also being participated in the investigation of the risk of cardiovascular events and outcomes among Australians with a cancer diagnosis. He takes the lead and collaborates in undertaking various research projects (quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research), especially related to cancer and antimicrobial use and resistance surveillance as well as control.
Before pursuing his PhD, Dr. Belachew served as a lecturer, clinical preceptor, and mentor/supervisor at the University of Gondar in Ethiopia, where he taught courses such as pharmacotherapy, pharmacoepidemiology, and clinical pharmacy practice. In 2023, he completed his PhD at the University of Queensland. Since 2015, he has published over 43 peer-reviewed articles, with citation so far: 1325, H-index:22, i10-Index:28. His research has garnered attention from esteemed institutions and media outlets including the World Health Organization, the Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), Health Reporter, Medscape, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Conversation and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Insights. underscoring the significance of his contributions to shaping policy and practice. In addition, one of his articles has been referred in two policy documents by World Health Organization. During his PhD study, he worked as causal acadmice at the University of Queensland and a research assistant at Menzies Health Institute-Centre for Applied Health Economics, Griffith University.
Dr. Belachew is an experienced medical and public health researcher (especially in antimicrobial resistance control and cancer research), academic and chief pharmacist, with over six years of experience. He has been recently nominated for the Faculty of Medicine Graduate of the Year Award at the University of Queensland due to his outstanding research output/track record. He has demonstrated ability in writing research grant, effective team work, research project management and supervising research students. Dr. Belachew has been invited to speak in numerous scientific research meetings, including the Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research organised by the National Cancer Institute of the USA (after winning prestigious travel grant), the International Congress of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy in Perth, Australia and the Australasian Epidemiological Association Annual and Early Career Researchers conference. He is a director for membership of the Pharmaco-economics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) Ethiopian regional chapter and a board member of the Ethiopian Organisation for Cancer Prevention and Research. Moreover, he is also one of the few Ethiopian Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) alumni.
Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Hall, Lisa and Selvey, Linda A. (2023). "Handing out non-prescribed antibiotics is storing up trouble for the next generation!" Unpacking multistakeholder views of drivers and potential solutions in Ethiopia. BMC Health Services Research, 23 (1) 830, 830. doi: 10.1186/s12913-023-09819-4
Admasu Belachew, Sewunet (2023). The scale of non-prescription antibiotic provision at community drug retail outlets and multi-stakeholder views on the drivers and potential solutions: a mixed-methods analysis with a focus on non-urban areas in Ethiopian provinces. PhD Thesis, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/cb06e72
Conference Publication: Magnitude of non-prescribed antibiotic dispensing in Ethiopia: A multicentre simulated client study with a focus on non-urban towns
Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Hall, Lisa and Selvey, Linda A. (2022). Magnitude of non-prescribed antibiotic dispensing in Ethiopia: A multicentre simulated client study with a focus on non-urban towns. 32nd International Congress of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (ICC), Perth, WA Australia, 27-30 November 2022. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s2213-7165(22)00357-5
(2024–2026) Australian Society for Antimicrobials
Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Hall, Lisa and Selvey, Linda A. (2023). "Handing out non-prescribed antibiotics is storing up trouble for the next generation!" Unpacking multistakeholder views of drivers and potential solutions in Ethiopia. BMC Health Services Research, 23 (1) 830, 830. doi: 10.1186/s12913-023-09819-4
Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Hall, Lisa and Selvey, Linda A. (2022). Magnitude of non-prescribed antibiotic dispensing in Ethiopia: a multicentre simulated client study with a focus on non-urban towns. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 77 (12), 3462-3465. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkac341
Netere, Adeladlew, Erku, Daniel Asfaw, Alene, Gizachew Motbinor, Geremew, Derso Teju and Belachew, Sewunet Admasu (2022). Clients’ expectation, satisfaction, and determinant factors towards outpatient services deliveries in Ethiopian primary hospitals: multi-center cross-sectional survey. Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences, 62-76. doi: 10.20372/ejhbs.v12i2.370
Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Hall, Lisa and Selvey, Linda A. (2022). Community drug retail outlet staff’s knowledge, attitudes and practices towards non-prescription antibiotics use and antibiotic resistance in the Amhara region, Ethiopia with a focus on non-urban towns. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control, 11 (1) 64, 64. doi: 10.1186/s13756-022-01102-1
Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Hall, Lisa, Erku, Daniel Asfaw and Selvey, Linda A. (2021). No prescription? No problem: drivers of non-prescribed sale of antibiotics among community drug retail outlets in low and middle income countries: a systematic review of qualitative studies. BMC Public Health, 21 (1) 1056, 1056. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-11163-3
Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Hall, Lisa and Selvey, Linda A. (2021). Non-prescription dispensing of antibiotic agents among community drug retail outlets in Sub-Saharan African countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, 10 (1) 13, 13. doi: 10.1186/s13756-020-00880-w
Emiru, Yohannes Kelifa, Ayele, Asnakew Achaw, Tefera, Yonas Getaye, Siraj, Ebrahim Abdela, Girma, Habtamu, Lilay, Melaku, Girma, Tinsae, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu and Gebresillassie, Begashaw Melaku (2021). Commonly dispensed herbal medicinal products and their source of information for practice in community pharmacies in Ethiopia: Promoting evidence‐based practice in health‐care settings. Traditional and Kampo Medicine, 8 (1), 66-74. doi: 10.1002/tkm2.1273
Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Muluneh, Niguse Yigzaw, Erku, Daniel Asfaw and Netere, Adeladlew Kassie (2020). A cross sectional study on beliefs and roles of community pharmacy professionals in preventing and managing metabolic syndrome in an Ethiopian setting. PLoS One, 15 (12) e0244211, e0244211. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244211
Netere, Adeladlew Kassie, Ashete, Eyayaw, Gebreyohannes, Eyob Alemayehu and Belachew, Sewunet Admasu (2020). Evaluations of knowledge, skills and practices of insulin storage and injection handling techniques of diabetic patients in Ethiopian primary hospitals. BMC Public Health, 20 (1) 1537. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-09622-4
Erku, Daniel A., Belachew, Sewunet A., Abrha, Solomon, Sinnollareddy, Mahipal, Thomas, Jackson, Steadman, Kathryn J. and Tesfaye, Wubshet H. (2020). When fear and misinformation go viral: pharmacists' role in deterring medication misinformation during the 'infodemic' surrounding COVID-19. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 17 (1), 1954-1963. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.04.032
Tefera, Yonas Getaye, Gebresillassie, Begashaw Melaku, Getnet Mersha, Amanual and Belachew, Sewunet Admasu (2020). Beliefs and Risk Awareness on Medications Among Pregnant Women Attending the Antenatal Care Unit in Ethiopia University Hospital. Overestimating the Risks Is Another Dread. Frontiers in Public Health, 8. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00028
Anteneh, Betelhem, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Endeshaw, Alem, Wubneh, Zewdu Birhanu and Sarkar, Barun Ranjan (2019). Knowledge, attitude and practices of medical and health science students on the antiretroviral based HIV post-exposure prophylaxis in an Ethiopian hospital: an institutional based cross-sectional study. BMC Health Services Research, 19 (1) 713. doi: 10.1186/s12913-019-4611-2
Glycemic control among diabetic patients in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Gebreyohannes, Eyob Alemayehu, Netere, Adeladlew Kassie and Belachew, Sewunet Admasu (2019). Glycemic control among diabetic patients in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS One, 14 (8) e0221790, 1-14. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221790
Tegegn, Henok Getachew, Erku, Daniel Asfaw, Sebsibe, Girum, Gizaw, Biruktawit, Seifu, Dawit, Tigabe, Masho, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu and Ayele, Asnakew Achaw (2019). Medication-related quality of life among Ethiopian elderly patients with polypharmacy: a cross-sectional study in an Ethiopia university hospital. PLoS One, 14 (3) e0214191, 1-12. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214191
Contraceptive use among HIV-positive and negative women: implication to end unintended pregnancy
Mersha, Amanual Getnet, Erku, Daniel Asfaw, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Ayele, Asnakew Achaw, Gebresillassie, Begashaw Melaku and Abegaz, Tadesse Melaku (2019). Contraceptive use among HIV-positive and negative women: implication to end unintended pregnancy. Contraception and Reproductive Medicine, 4 (3) 3. doi: 10.1186/s40834-019-0084-2
Gebreyohannes, Eyob Alemayehu, Bhagavathula, Akshaya Srikanth, Abegaz, Tadesse Melaku, Abebe, Tamrat Befekadu, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Tegegn, Henok Getachew and Mansoor, Sarab Malik (2019). The effectiveness of pictogram intervention in the identification and reporting of adverse drug reactions in naïve HIV patients in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care, Volume 11, 9-16. doi: 10.2147/hiv.s186797
Bhagavathula, Akshaya Srikanth, Abegaz, Tadesse Melaku, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Gebreyohannes, Eyob Alemayehu, Gebresillassie, Begashaw Melaku and Chattu, Vijay Kumar (2018). Prevalence of burnout syndrome among health-care professionals working at Gondar University Hospital, Ethiopia. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 7 (1), 145. doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_196_18
Teni, Fitsum Sebsibe, Gebresillassie, Begashaw Melaku, Birru, Eshetie Melese, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Tefera, Yonas Getaye, Wubishet, Befikadu Legesse, Tekleyes, Bethelhem Hailu and Yimer, Bilal Tessema (2018). Costs incurred by outpatients at a university hospital in northwestern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. BMC Health Services Research, 18 (1) 842. doi: 10.1186/s12913-018-3628-2
The prognosis of heart failure patients: does sodium level play a significant role?
Abebe, Tamrat Befekadu, Gebreyohannes, Eyob Alemayehu, Tefera, Yonas Getaye, Bhagavathula, Akshaya Srikanth, Erku, Daniel Asfaw, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Gebresillassie, Begashaw Melaku and Abegaz, Tadesse Melaku (2018). The prognosis of heart failure patients: does sodium level play a significant role?. PLoS One, 13 (11) e0207242, e0207242. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207242
Gebresillassie, Begashaw Melaku, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Tefera, Yonas Getaye, Abebe, Tamrat Befekadu, Mekuria, Abebe Basazn, Haile, Kaleab Taye and Erku, Daniel Asfaw (2018). Evaluating patients', physicians' and pharmacy professionals' perception and concern regarding generic medicines in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia: a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectional survey. PloS one, 13 (11), e0204146. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204146
Gebresillassie, Begashaw Melaku, Gebreyohannes, Eyob Alemayehu, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu and Emiru, Yohannes Kelifa (2018). Evaluation of Knowledge, Perception, and Risk Awareness About Breast Cancer and Its Treatment Outcome Among University of Gondar Students, Northwest Ethiopia. Frontiers in Oncology, 8 (NOV) 501, 1-7. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00501
Netere, Adeladlew Kassie, Erku, Daniel Asfaw, Sendekie, Ashenafi Kibret, Gebreyohannes, Eyob Alemayehu, Muluneh, Niguse Yigzaw and Belachew, Sewunet Admasu (2018). Assessment of community pharmacy professionals’ knowledge and counseling skills achievement towards headache management: a cross-sectional and simulated-client based mixed study. The Journal of Headache and Pain, 19 (1) 96. doi: 10.1186/s10194-018-0930-7
Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Erku, Daniel Asfaw, Yimenu, Dawit Kumilachew and Gebresillassie, Begashaw Melaku (2018). Assessment of predictors for acute asthma attack in asthmatic patients visiting an Ethiopian hospital: are the potential factors still a threat?. Asthma Research and Practice, 4 (1) 8. doi: 10.1186/s40733-018-0044-7
Abegaz, Tadesse M., Bhagavathula, Akshaya S., Tefera, Yonas G., Belachew, Sewunet A. and Tegegn, Henok G. (2018). Medication therapy management services in emergency and ambulatory care of Gondar University Hospital, northwest Ethiopia. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 48 (4), 320-327. doi: 10.1002/jppr.1400
Mekuria, Abebe Basazn, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Tegegn, Henok Getachew, Ali, Dawit Simegnew, Netere, Adeladlew Kassie, Lemlemu, Eskedar and Erku, Daniel Asfaw (2018). Prevalence and correlates of herbal medicine use among type 2 diabetic patients in teaching hospital in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 18 (1) 85, 1-8. doi: 10.1186/s12906-018-2147-3
Erku, Daniel Asfaw, Netere, Adeladlew Kassie, Mersha, Amanual Getnet, Abebe, Sileshi Ayele, Mekuria, Abebe Basazn and Belachew, Sewunet Admasu (2017). Comprehensive knowledge and uptake of cervical cancer screening is low among women living with HIV/AIDS in Northwest Ethiopia. Gynecologic Oncology Research and Practice, 4 (1) 20, 20. doi: 10.1186/s40661-017-0057-6
Ayele, Asnakew Achaw, Tegegn, Henok Getachew, Haile, Kaleab Taye, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Mersha, Amanual Getnet and Erku, Daniel Asfaw (2017). Complementary and alternative medicine use among elderly patients living with chronic diseases in a teaching hospital in Ethiopia. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 35, 115-119. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.10.006
Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Tilahun, Fasil, Ketsela, Tirsit, Ayele, Asnakew Achaw, Netere, Adeladlew Kassie, Mersha, Amanual Getnet, Abebe, Tamrat Befekadu, Gebresillassie, Begashaw Melaku, Tegegn, Henok Getachew and Erku, Daniel Asfaw (2017). Competence in metered dose inhaler technique among community pharmacy professionals in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia: knowledge and skill gap analysis. PLoS One, 12 (11), e0188360. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188360
Erku, Daniel Asfaw, Mekuria, Abebe Basazn and Belachew, Sewunet Admasu (2017). Inappropriate use of antibiotics among communities of Gondar town, Ethiopia: a threat to the development of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, 6 (1) 112. doi: 10.1186/s13756-017-0272-2
Erku, Daniel Asfaw, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Mekuria, Abebe Basazn, Haile, Kaleab Taye, Gebresillassie, Begashaw Melaku, Tegegn, Henok Getachew and Ayele, Asnakew Achaw (2017). The role of community pharmacists in patient counseling and health education: a survey of their knowledge and level of involvement in relation to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Integrated Pharmacy Research and Practice, 6, 137-143. doi: 10.2147/IPRP.S140777
Erku, Daniel A., Ayele, Asnakew A., Mekuria, Abebe B., Belachew, Sewunet A., Hailemeskel, Bisrat and Tegegn, Henok G. (2017). The impact of pharmacist-led medication therapy management on medication adherence in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled study. Pharmacy Practice, 15 (3) 1026, 1026-1026. doi: 10.18549/PharmPract.2017.03.1026
Teni, Fitsum Sebsibe, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Gebresillassie, Begashaw Melaku, Birru, Eshetie Melese, Wubishet, Befikadu Legesse, Tekleyes, Bethelhem Hailu, Yimer, Bilal Tessema and Tefera, Yonas Getaye (2017). Pattern and appropriateness of medicines prescribed to outpatients at a university hospital in northwestern Ethiopia. BioMed Research International, 2017 3729401, 1-7. doi: 10.1155/2017/3729401
Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Yimenu, Dawit Kumilachew and Gebresillassie, Begashaw Melaku (2017). Pharmacy Professionals’ Dispensing Practice, Knowledge, and Attitude towards Emergency Contraceptives in Gondar Town, Northwestern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 2017, 1-9. doi: 10.1155/2017/8754126
Abebe, Tamrat Befekadu, Bhagavathula, Akshaya Srikanth, Tefera, Yonas Getaye, Ahmad, Akram, Khan, Muhammad Umair, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Brown, Brandon and Abegaz, Tadesse Melaku (2016). Healthcare professionals’ awareness, knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and beliefs about Ebola at Gondar University Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 7 (2). doi: 10.4081/jphia.2016.570
Gebreyohannes, Eyob Alemayehu, Bhagavathula, Akshaya Srikanth, Gebresillassie, Begashaw Melaku, Tefera, Yonas Getaye, Belachew, Sewunet Admasu and Erku, Daniel Asfaw (2016). Recreational use of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors and its associated factors among undergraduate male students in an Ethiopian University: a cross-sectional study. World Journal of Mens Health, 34 (3), 186-193. doi: 10.5534/wjmh.2016.34.3.186
Mekuria, Abebe Basazn, Erku, Daniel Asfaw and Belachew, Sewunet Admasu (2016). Preferred information sources and needs of cancer patients on disease symptoms and management: a cross-sectional study. Patient Preference and Adherence, 10, 1991-1997. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S116463
Getachew, Henok Getachew, Bhagavathula, Akshaya, Abebe, Tamrat Befekadu and Admasu, Sewunet (2016). Inappropriate prescribing of antithrombotic therapy in Ethiopian elderly population using updated 2015 STOPP/START criteria: a cross-sectional study. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 819-827. doi: 10.2147/cia.s107394
Abegaz, Tadesse Melaku, Admasu Belachew, Sewunet, Befekadu Abede, Tamrat, Gebresillassie, Begashaw Melaku, Teni, Fitsum Sebsibe and Gebremeskel Woldie, Habtamu (2016). Management of children’s acute diarrhea by community pharmacies in five towns of Ethiopia: simulated client case study. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 12, 515-526. doi: 10.2147/tcrm.s98474
Admasu, Sewunet, abegaz, Tadesse melaku, Bhagavathula, Akshaya, Getaye, Yonas and Getachew, Henok Getachew (2016). Evaluation of preceptors and skills achievement by clinical pharmacy clerkship students during their clinical rotations at University of Gondar, Ethiopia. Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 7, 187-196. doi: 10.2147/amep.s95820
Melaku, Tadesse, Bhagavathula, Akshaya Srikanth, Getaye, Yonas, Admasu, Sewunet and Alkalmi, Ramadan (2016). Perceptions of pharmacy clerkship students and clinical preceptors regarding preceptors’ teaching behaviors at Gondar University in Ethiopia. Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions, 13, 9. doi: 10.3352/jeehp.2016.13.9
Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Erku, Daniel Asfaw, Mekuria, Abebe Basazn and Gebresillassie, Begashaw Melaku (2016). Pattern of chemotherapy-related adverse effects among adult cancer patients treated at Gondar university referral hospital, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. Drug Healthcare and Patient Safety, 8, 83-90. doi: 10.2147/DHPS.S116924
Teni, Fitsum Sebsibe, Workye, Mulualem, Admasu, Sewunet, Abura, Tamrat, Belete, Yared, Getaye, Yonas and Surur, Abdrrahman (2015). Clients’ expectations from and satisfaction with medicine retail outlets in Gondar town, northwestern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. Integrated Pharmacy Research and Practice, 4, 1-12. doi: 10.2147/iprp.s75819
Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Hall, Lisa and Selvey, Linda A. (2022). Magnitude of non-prescribed antibiotic dispensing in Ethiopia: A multicentre simulated client study with a focus on non-urban towns. 32nd International Congress of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (ICC), Perth, WA Australia, 27-30 November 2022. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s2213-7165(22)00357-5
Belachew, Sewunet Admasu, Hall, Lisa, Erku, Daniel Asfaw and Selvey, Linda A. (2022). No prescription? no problem: Drivers of non-prescribed sale of antibiotics among community drug retail outlets in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of qualitative studies. 32nd International Congress of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (ICC), Perth, WA Australia, 27-30 November 2022. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s2213-7165(22)00356-3
Pharmacist-led smoking cessation services in Ethiopia: knowledge and skill gap analysis
Erku, Daniel A., Hailemeskel, Bisrat and Belachew, Sewunet A. (2019). Pharmacist-led smoking cessation services in Ethiopia: knowledge and skill gap analysis. 2018 Southern Pharmacy Administration Conference, Auburn, United States, 7-9 June, 2018. Philadelphia, PA, United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.03.112
Admasu Belachew, Sewunet (2023). The scale of non-prescription antibiotic provision at community drug retail outlets and multi-stakeholder views on the drivers and potential solutions: a mixed-methods analysis with a focus on non-urban areas in Ethiopian provinces. PhD Thesis, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/cb06e72
(2024–2026) Australian Society for Antimicrobials