Mofeed Digest: December 2022

The following digest summarizes the most important scholarly and policy publications, reports, and articles covering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the politics, economies, and societies of the Arab world. Mofeed Digest is produced by Mofeed Project Coordinator Serage Amatory.

[MENA | Algeria | BahrainEgyptIraqJordanKuwaitLebanonLibya|
MoroccoOmanPalestineQatar| Saudi ArabiaSomaliaSudanSyriaUAEYemen]


MENA

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COVID-19 Pandemic and Economic Impacts in Arab Countries: Challenges and Policies
Research in Globalization, December 2022
This article examines the impact of COVID-19 on the economy of Arab countries and more particularly on financial markets, in terms of financial fragility and the availability of commercial services, and how disruptions to the monetary and banking sectors could worsen poverty.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Conflict Zones: A Review of Current Literature
Frontiers in Public Health, 2 December 2022
This article  examines vaccine hesitancy in connection to COVID-19 in five conflict zones: Somalia, Yemen, Palestine, Syria, and Afghanistan.

Beliefs and Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Three Countries with Different Human Development Index (HDI) Scores: A Comparative Study
Patient Preference and Adherence, 13 December 2022
This article assesses and compares beliefs about and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination among the population of three countries with different Human Development Index (HDI) scores: Saudi Arabia (very high), India (medium), and Sudan (low).

COVID-19 Statistics in the Arab World by the End of October 2022: A Cross-Sectional Study
Cureus, 18 December 2022
This article uses COVID-19 data to examine COVID-19 statistics (including the number of cases/deaths/tests) in Arab countries by the end of October 2022 and compares the findings with global parameters. The study notes the large variance across Arab countries.

Monkeypox Post COVID-19: Knowledge, Worrying, and Vaccine Adoption of the Arabic General Population
medRxiv, 23 December 2022
This working paper evaluates the attitudes of the Arab public toward monkeypox —  how alarmed and how willing to take protective vaccines — after the WHO proclaimed a monkeypox epidemic. The paper compares these attitudes with Arab attitudes toward the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effect of COVID-19 Vaccine on Menstrual Experience Among Females in Six Arab Countries: A Cross Sectional Study
Influenza & Other Respiratory Viruses, 28 December 2022
This article assesses potential post-vaccination menstrual changes in women residing in six MENA countries: Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Jordan, Syria, and Palestine.


Algeria

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Mediated Effects of Insomnia in the Association Between Problematic Social Media Use and Subjective Well-Being Among University Students During COVID-19 Pandemic
Sleep Epidemiology, December 2022
This article shows how problematic social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria was positively associated with insomnia and negatively associated with well-being.

The Effect of COVID-19 on the Airline Sector in Algeria
Social and Human Sciences Review – Batna 1 university, December 2022
This article assesses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its mandated restrictions on the airline sector in Algeria.

The Effect of Preventive Measures and Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 on the Infection Risk, Treatment, and Hospitalization: A Cross-Sectional Study of Algeria
Viruses, 12 December 2022
This article examines the relation between COVID-19 vaccination and other preventive measures in Algeria on the one hand, and the risk of infection, treatment, and hospitalization on the other.


Bahrain

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Psychological Impact of COVID-19, Isolation, and Quarantine: A Cross-Sectional Study
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 19 December 2022
This article describes and compares the psychological impacts of COVID-19 isolation and quarantine measures on adults in Bahrain.

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on University Students in Bahrain
Cureus, 29 December 2022
This article traces the significant psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among university students in Bahrain, and presents remedial recommendations.

Thrombotic Events in COVID-19: Incidence and Their Association with Lab Parameters, Vaccination Status and Mortality
Journal of the Bahrain Medical Society, 31 December 2022
This article traces, for a period of 6 months, the incidence of total thrombotic events, individual Venous Thromboembolisms (VTE), and Arterial Thromboembolisms (ATE) that occurred in patients requiring ICU admission for COVID-19 in one of Bahrain’s main COVID ICU facilities.


Egypt

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Immunomodulatory Effects of Parasitic Infection Among One Hundred COVID-19 Egyptian Patients
Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, December 2022
This article assesses the clinical response to COVID-19 in 100 Egyptian patients with gastrointestinal parasitic infections.

Perception of COVID-19 and Vaccine Acceptance Among Healthcare Workers
International Journal of Microbiology,  2 December 2022
This article describes the current COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among HCWs in Egypt and identifies the most likely reasons for accepting/declining COVID-19 vaccination. The authors also identify healthcare workers’ perceptions and attitudes, and point out ways to improve vaccine uptake among healthcare professionals.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Acceptance of Sinopharm and AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 Vaccines Among Egyptian Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Environmental Research and Public Health, 14 December 2022
This article assesses the Egyptian population’s preference and awareness regarding available COVID-19 vaccines. It also identifies the different factors that can affect attitudes toward these vaccines.

Serum Interleukin 1β and sP-selectin as Biomarkers of Inflammation and Thrombosis, Could They Be Predictors of Disease Severity in COVID-19 Egyptian Patients? (A Cross-Sectional Study)
Thrombosis, 16 December 2022
This article examines whether serum interleukins 1 beta (IL-1β) and soluble platelets selectin (sP-selectin) could serve as novel markers of thromboembolism in COVID-19 patients in Egypt.

Ocular Manifestations of Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome, Upper Egypt Early Report
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 19 December 2022
This article reports on a retrospective, comparative study that included 100 patients who had recovered from COVID-19 and 100 controls who were recruited by stratified randomization and analyzed regarding history, full ophthalmological examination, and general examination, including internal medicine and neurological evaluation. It shows that the “Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome” could cause coagulation problems in the eyes, neurological morbidities, among other complications.

Mental Health Services in Egypt During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Middle East Current Psychiatry, 22 December 2022
This article discusses the structure, approach, and efficiencies of COVID-19 pandemic-related mental health services in Egypt. And it summarizes responses and initiatives launched by the government of Egypt.

Development and Validation of a Predictive Scoring System for In-Hospital Mortality in COVID-19 Egyptian Patients: A Retrospective Study
Scientific Reports, 26 December 2022
This article attempts to develop and assess a simple scoring system to predict in-hospital mortality among patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in Egypt within the first days of hospitalization. The scoring system is based on different symptoms, comorbidities, vital signs, and laboratory data, in addition to some local and affordable treatment options incorporated into the regression model.


Iraq

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The Effect of Online Classes on Students’ Performance During the Outbreak of the COVID-19 Virus “A Case Study at The University of Halabja in Northern Iraq”
Journal  of  Management  and Education, September 2022
This article identifies the factors that influence student performance in online classes during the  COVID-19  pandemic period, and assesses the correlation between these variables.  Data was collected from 350 people from all disciplines who were studying at Halabja University in northern Iraq through an online survey.

The Effect of Favipiravir on Liver Enzyme Among Patients with Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Infection: A Prospective Cohort Study
Journal of Population Therapeutics & Clinical Pharmacology, 12 November 2022
This article reports on the assessment of favipiravir-induced liver injury by evaluating liver enzymes in 66 Iraqi patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection who were treated with favipiravir for five days.

Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccinations and Association with Age and Gender Among Adults Vaccinated in Mosul City, Iraq
Rawal Medical Journal, December 2022
This article examines the link between COVID-19 vaccine effects and the variables of age and gender among 660 residents of Mosul who had received COVID-19 vaccinations.

Cluster Analysis of Biochemical Markers as Predictor of COVID-19 Severity
Baghdad Science Journal, 5 December 2022
This article identifies predictors of risk for developing COVID-19 using a cluster analysis of several biomarkers.

Employing Transfer Learning for Diagnosing COVID-19 Disease
International Journal of Online and Biomedical Engineering, 6 December 2022
This article focuses on radiography as one of the simplest methods to detect COVID-19 infections. The authors propose a method that can diagnose the disease based on radiography (X-ray chest) and deep-learning models.

A Comparison of the COVID-19 Vaccinations Used During Various Time Periods in Iraq
HIV Nursing, 17 December 2022
This article compares the effects and efficacy of different vaccinations against COVID-19 in Nineveh, Iraq. It compares that the efficacy of three of the most commonly administered vaccines and shows that the efficacy waned over time. 

The Prevalence and Outcome of COVID-19 Smell Problems at Kurdistan Iraq
Diyala Journal of Medicine, 25 December 2022
This article assesses the prevalence of frequency of anosmia (temporary loss of smell) in COVID-19 patients in Kurdistan in contrast to other communities. It also examines the clinical outcome of patients affected by COVID-19.

Characterization of COVID-19 Hospitalized Adult Patients, Vaccinated vs Non-Vaccinated in Duhok Province
Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences, 26 December 2022
This article assesses the rate of vaccination among hospitalized patients, and examines the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of vaccinated and unvaccinated COVID-19 patients at Duhok COVID-19 health facilities.

Impact of Three Outbreaks on Mpox Prevention Program in Iraq: Lessons and Recommendations
Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 30 December 2022
This article describes the strain on Iraq’s healthcare of simultaneous outbreaks of infectious diseases — COVID-19, Cholera, Monkeypox and the Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever.  The articles cautions against complacency in dealing with Mpox and presents recommendation.


Jordan

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Knowledge, Practice and Attitude Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant Among Adults in Jordan
PLOS One, 7 December 2022
This article reports the findings of a cross-sectional study conducted among adults in Jordan to quantify knowledge, attitude, and practices toward the COVID-19 Delta variant.

Experiences and Perceptions of COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination Among Palestinian Refugees in Jerash Camp and Jordanian Citizens: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study by Face-to-Face Interviews
Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 13 December 2022
This article assesses the experiences and perceptions of COVID-19 infection and vaccination among Palestine refugees in Jerash camp compared to the experience of Jordanian nationals.

COVID-19 Infection and Vaccine Have No Impact on In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Outcome
Scientific Reports, 15 December 2022
This article investigates the effect of COVID-19 infection or vaccine on IVF outcomes through a multicenter retrospective study that was carried out at two assisted reproduction technology (ART) centers in Jordan.

Quality of Distance Learning After One and a Half Years From Its Integration Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study at the University of Jordan
Cureus, 17 December 2022
This article assesses the quality of distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic among students at the University of Jordan, as well as its determinants and obstacles.

Public Perception Regarding COVID-19, Nature of the Disease, Susceptibility to Complications, and Relationship to Influenza: A Study from Jordan Using Google Forms
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 20 December 2022
This article examines the perceptions among the Jordanian public regarding the nature of the COVID-19 disease, susceptibility to its complications, and its relationship to seasonal influenza. it uses a survey-based, cross-sectional data from 1863 participants.

Web-Based Reporting of Post-Vaccination Symptoms for Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccines in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study
Vaccines, 25 December 2022
This article collects and examine data on the side effects experienced by Jordanians vaccinated against COVID-19. It also assesses the safety of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine.

Rapidly Adapted Community Health Strategies to Prevent Treatment Interruption and Improve COVID-19 Detection for Syrian Refugees and the Host Population with Hypertension and Diabetes in Jordan
International Health, 28 December 2022
This article evaluates community health volunteer (CHV) strategies to prevent non-communicable disease (NCD) care disruption. It advocates broad-scale COVID-19 testing among Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians.


Kuwait

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Aggression and Violence During the Lockdown Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kuwait
Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, December 2022 
This article examines whether there are significant sociodemographic differences in reported cases of physical and verbal aggression, anger, hostility, and violence among 815 Kuwaiti residents during the COVID-19 lockdown.

General Health Status and Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and Curfew on Children Aging 3 to 12 Years
Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 12 December 2022
This article assesses the general and mental health status of children in Kuwait during different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Monitoring COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Kuwait During the Pandemic: Results from a National Serial Study
Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 28 December 2022
This article identifies the determinants of vaccine acceptance, and the variability of acceptance, among citizens and non-citizens  over time during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait.


Lebanon

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Refugee Settlements, Sewage Pollution, COVID-19 and the Unfolding Cholera Outbreak in Lebanon
Journal of Travel Medicine, 26 November 2022
This article shows the impact, on both Syrian refugee settlements and the host communities, of the compounding crises in Lebanon — including COVID-19, the severe shortages in medical supplies, pollution, and currency devaluation. 

Clinical and Laboratory Factors Associated with Mortality Among Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 Infection in Lebanon: A Multicenter Study
PLOS One, 1 December 2022
This article examines the likely factors associated with increased COVID-19 mortality in a sample of Lebanese adults enrolled in three hospitals.

Increased Incidence of Precocious Puberty in Girls During COVID-19 Pandemic: Early Indicator of the Upcoming Childhood Metabolic Syndrome Pandemic?
Global Pediatric Health, 12 December 2022
This article evaluates the incidence of idiopathic central precocious puberty during and after the Lebanese COVID-19 lockdown, and compares it to the averages of the previous two years. It examines the environmental changes that might have led to early-onset puberty and the public-health implications.

Prevalence and Correlates of Burnout Among Lebanese Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Cross-Sectional Survey
Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, 16 December 2022
This article assesses the prevalence of burnout among Lebanese healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic identifies its associated factors.


Libya

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Variant-Specific RT-qPCR for Rapid Screening of B.1.617 Mutations in SARS-CoV-2
Libyan Journal of Medicine, 5 September 2022
This article is the first report to show the Delta variant as the cause of the third COVID-19 wave in Libya.

Laboratory Findings of Libyan Patients with COVID-19 in Intensive Care Unit
Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 31 December 2022
This article  investigates how age affects the mortality of COVID-19 patients. It finds that a marked change exists in the results of blood tests on the first visits to healthcare facilities, and shows how those can serve as predictors of mortality among COVID-19 patients in Libya.

Prevalence of Reactogenicity of COVID-19 Vaccine Among Libyan Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 31 December 2022
This article estimates the prevalence of reactogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines and compares the three vaccines (AstraZeneca-Oxford, Sinovac, and sputnik V) in a sample of 430 individuals in Libya.


Morocco 

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What Happened During COVID-19 in African ICUs? An Observational Study of Pulmonary Co-Infections, Superinfections, and Mortality in Morocco
PLOS One, 1 December 2022
This article examines the prevalence of bacterial co-infections and superinfections in critically ill adults with severe COVID-19 pneumonia in Morocco. It reports on the micro-organisms involved and the impact of these infections on survival.

Long-term Effectiveness of Inactivated Vaccine BBIBP-CorV (Vero Cells) against COVID-19 Associated Severe and Critical Hospitalization in Morocco
PLOS One, 7 December 2022
This article assesses the effectiveness of the inactivated COVID-19 Sinopharm vaccine currently deployed in Morocco against SARS- CoV-2 severe disease/ hospitalization, nine months after vaccination.

Kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG Antibodies 3 Months After COVID-19 Onset in Moroccan Patients
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 12 December 2022
This article  longitudinally assesses the kinetics of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies against spike protein (S1) for up to 3 months in a cohort of 169 COVID-19 patients in Morocco.

E-Commerce in Morocco in the Era of COVID-19: Ephemeral or Lasting Trend
International Journal of Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Management, and Economics, 20 December 2022
This article investigates Moroccan consumers’ attitudes toward using e-commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Examining the Determinants of COVID-19 Severity: A Cohort Study in Morocco of 915 Patients
Cureus, 25 December 2022
This article evaluates the clinical course of severe COVID-19 patients in Morocco and compares them with non-severe patients in terms of clinical and epidemiological characteristics, biological parameters, and outcomes.

Impact of COVID-19 on Employees Transportation in Morocco: Optimization Using OCVRPTW
Researcher, 31 December 2022
This article shows the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employees’ transportation in Morocco, particularly in the industrial field.


Oman

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Oman’s COVID-19 Publication Trends: A Cross-Sectional Bibliometric Study
Public Health in Practice, 1 December 2022
This article describes the COVID-19 research output in Oman in terms of publication type, journal impact factor, collaboration, and author affiliation, all compared with the national scholarly output over the decade.

The Retrospective Pilot Study of the Prevalence of Olfactory Dysfunction or Loss of Smell, Loss of Taste, and Oral Manifestations Among COVID-19 Positive Health Workers in Muscat, Oman
Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, 3 December 2022
This article assesses the prevalence of the loss of smell and taste (LOST) and oral manifestations in COVID-19 cases and examines whether these (LOST & oral manifestations) can be premonitory manifestations and whether they can predict the prognosis of COVID-19.

Social Media Use in Higher Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Literature Review
International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 20 December 2022
This article reviews the literature to gain an in-depth understanding of the pedagogical role of social media in higher education institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Palestine

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COVID-19 Vaccination in Palestine/Israel: Citizenship, Capitalism, and the Logic of Elimination
Health and Human Rights Journal, 6 December 2022 
This article argues that withholding vaccines from Palestinians reveals the ways that Israel furthers its settler-colonial aims under the guise of liberal humanitarianism and economic growth. Instead of confining these conclusions to Israel, the authors contend that these processes reveal how settler-colonial societies use liberal frameworks of citizenship and capitalism to carry out their racialized projects of elimination.

Social Determinants and Mental Health Needs of Palestine Refugees and UNRWA Responses in Gaza During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Assessment
BMC Public Health, 8 December 2022
This article examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Palestine refugees in Gaza by identifying the role of social determinants.

Experiences and Perceptions of COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination Among Palestinian Refugees in Jerash Camp and Jordanian Citizens: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study by Face-to-Face Interviews
Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 13 December 2022
This article assesses the experiences and perceptions of COVID-19 infection and vaccination among Palestine refugees in Jerash camp, compared to the experience of Jordanian nationals.


Qatar

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Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Among Hospital Pharmacists in Qatar
Pharmacy Practice, 2 December 2022
This article evaluates the knowledge and attitudes of hospital pharmacists in Qatar toward COVID-19. It surveys the  pharmacists of ten hospitals within the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) system.

Effect of BNT162b2 Antigen Dosage on Protection Against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Infection
medRxiv, 8 December 2022
This working paper from Qatar compares the incidence of COVID-19 Omicron infection in adolescents (12 years of age) who received the two-dose primary series of the 30-µg BNT162b2 vaccine with the cohort of adolescents (11 years of age) who received the two-dose primary-series of the pediatric 10-µg BNT162b2 vaccine.

Risk of COVID-19 Infection Among Mobile Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Team
Health Science Reports, 8 December 2022
This article assesses the risk of COVID-19 transmission to healthcare workers who transport COVID-19 patients on an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) device.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Incidence, Etiology, and Antimicrobial Resistance of Healthcare-Associated Infections in a Critical Care Unit in Western Qatar
Qatar Medical Journal, 26 December 2022
This article examines the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAI)s in an intensive care unit (ICU) during a 10-year period and compares HAI incidence during the pre- and during COVID-19 in Qatar.


Saudi Arabia

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COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Among Pregnant and Lactating Women in Saudi Arabia
Cureus, 2 December 2022
This article examines COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates among pregnant and breastfeeding/lactating women, and the factors associated with the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia.

COVID-19 Vaccination Side Effects Among the Child Age Group: A Large Cross-Sectional Online Based Survey in Saudi Arabia
BMC Infectious Diseases, 6 December 2022
This article identifies the side effect of children’s vaccination against COVID-19 infection in Saudi Arabia.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Therapy Practice in Saudi Arabia
PLOS One, 9 December 2022
This article investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Physical Therapy (PT) services, and the associated psychological distress endured by PT practitioners in Saudi Arabia.

Estimated Cost of Treating Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Saudi Arabia
Scientific Reports, 12 December 2022
This article measures the direct medical cost of treating COVID-19 patients at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia.

The Effect of the COVID-19 Vaccine on the Menstrual Cycle Among Reproductive-Aged Females in Saudi Arabia
Cureus, 13 December 2022
This article evaluates the impact of the COVID-19 vaccine on all features of the menstrual cycle among menstruating persons in Saudi Arabia, including cycle length, amount of bleeding, and pain.

Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Its Relationship with Knowledge about COVID-19 in Medical and Laboratory Medicine Students of Umm-Al-Qura University: A Cross-Sectional Survey
The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, 14 December 2022
This article examines mental health trends in Saudi Arabia. It also probes their connection with sociodemographic variables and the level of knowledge about COVID-19 in the kingdom.

Study Epidemiology and Determinants of COVID-19 Infection Among the Population in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia
Middle East Journal of Family Medicine, 15 December 2022
This article examines the epidemiological aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

A Case Report of Relapse of Minimal Change Disease After the First Dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine in King Abdul-Aziz Specialist Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia
Middle East Journal of Family Medicine, 15 December 2022
This article presents the case of a 64-year-old female who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination as a first dose and then experienced a relapse of minimal change disease (MCD) presenting with nephrotic syndrome.

Prevalence of Text Neck Posture, Smartphone Addiction, and Its Association with Neck Disorders Among University Students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia During the COVID-19 Pandemic
PeerJ, 15 December 2022
This article examines the prevalence of text neck posture, smartphone addiction/overuse, and its association with neck disorders among university students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of COVID-19 Illness and Predictors of In-Hospital Mortality in Saudi Arabia
BMC Infectious Diseases, 17 December 2022
This article  examines the hospitalization rate, ICU admission, and in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 and predictors of in-hospital mortality in Saudi Arabia.

Comorbidities and Risk Factors for Severe Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 19 December 2022
This article identifies the risk factors affecting the severity and mortality rates in a cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on the Saudi Arabia Tourism Sector: An Accountancy Approach
Economic Research Forum, 20 December 2022
This article  assesses the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the tourism industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Comparison Between Physiological Scores SIPF, CURB-65, and APACHE II as Predictors of Prognosis and Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Multicenter Study, Saudi Arabia
Infection and Drug Resistance, 23 December 2022
This article  evaluates the accuracy of physiological shock index, shock index and hypoxemia, CURB − 65, acute physiology, and chronic health assessment II (APACHE II) as predictors of prognosis and in-hospital mortality for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Adoption of Telemedicine Care for Osteoporotic Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience from a Tertiary Care Center in Saudi Arabia
Archives of Osteoporosis, 28 December 2022
This article examines the feasibility and effectiveness of telemedicine care provided to osteoporotic patients in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results show that this service was effective and feasible, and patients had a good rate of satisfaction with it.

Health-Related Quality of Life Among Jazan University Students During COVID-19 Pandemic, KSA: A Cross-Sectional Study
Middle East Journal of Family Medicine, 30 December 2022
This article  assesses the health-related quality of life of  425 students (male and female) from Jazan University during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Vaccines Receiving, Barriers and Encouraging Factors Among Chronically Ill Patients in Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia
Middle East Journal of Family Medicine, 30 December 2022
This article examines the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, barriers, and encouraging factors among chronically ill patients in the Qassim region population in Saudi Arabia.

COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Hesitancy Among Hemodialysis Patients in Saudi Arabia Using the Health Belief Model: A Multi-Centre Experience
Vaccines, 31 December 2022
This article  explores the predictors of the third (booster) dose of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among chronic kidney disease patients on hemodialysis in Saudi Arabia.


Somalia

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COVID-19 and Its Prevention in Internally Displaced Person (IDP) Camps in Somalia: Impact on Livelihood, Food Security and Mental Health
BMC Public Health, 22 December 2022
This article  investigates the impact of COVID-19 on the livelihoods, food security and mental health of Somalia’s Internally Displaced Persons.


Sudan

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Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Medical Students Towards COVID-19 in Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Study Among 19 Universities
Annals of Medicine and Surgery, December 2022
This article assesses the knowledge, awareness, and practice of medical students in Sudanese universities regarding COVID-19.


Syria

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Health-Care Provider Burnout in Syria During COVID-19 Pandemic’s Omicron Wave
Medicine, 16 December 2022
This article reports the findings of cross-sectional research conducted in Syria during the Omicron wave of the COVID-19 pandemic to evaluate burnout among Syrian physicians who treat COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19 Inpatient Treatments and Outcomes During the Conflict in Syria: An Observational Cohort Study
IJID Regions, 29 December 2022
This article describes the treatment and outcomes of in-patients with COVID-19 in the Syrian city of Latakia.


UAE

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COVID-19 Patient Characteristics and Time to Viral Clearance: A Retrospective Observational Study in a Multiethnic Population (United Arab Emirates)
Journal of Clinical Virology, December 2022
This article investigates the factors influencing the time to viral clearance in COVID-19 patients using medical records from 1785 adult patients of various ethnicities treated at NMC Royal Hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Exploring the Challenges for Medical Tourism in the United Arab Emirates During the COVID-19 Pandemic Era: A Stakeholder Perspective
Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 6 December 2022
This article explores medical tourism development challenges in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) pre- and during COVID-19.

Prevalence of OCD Symptoms in the UAE During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
Research Square, 6 December 2022
This working paper measures the prevalence of OCD-like symptoms among the adult population of the United Arab Emirates during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic with no baseline OCD diagnosis and correlates it with possible risk factors.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of University Students in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study
BMC Psychology, 16 December 2022
This article  investigates the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including depression, anxiety, and resilience among a sample of university students in the UAE.

Inequality in Remote Learning Quality During COVID-19: Student Perspectives and Mitigating Factors
Large-scale Assessments in Education, 26 December 2022
This article seeks to understand how student perspectives on remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic varied across and within several countries including the UAE from the MENA region.

Food Safety Knowledge Among Pregnant Women in the United Arab Emirates amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
PLOS One, 30 December 2022
This article assesses self-reported food safety knowledge and practices among pregnant women in the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Yemen

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Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Toward Infection Prevention and Control Among Diagnostic Radiographers in Yemen
Journal of Radiology Nursing, December 2022
This article assesses the knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) regarding COVID-19 infection prevention and control among diagnostic radiographers in Yemen.

Adult Mortality before and During the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic in Nine Communities of Yemen: A Key Informant Study
Conflict and Health, 12 December 2022
This article  examines population mortality before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in nine purposively selected urban and rural communities of southern and central Yemen (Aden and Ta’iz governorates), totaling > 100,000 people.