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 | Bahrain | Egypt| Iraq| Jordan| Kuwait| Lebanon
| Morocco| Oman| Palestine| Qatar| Saudi Arabia| Somalia| Sudan| Tunisia| UAE]
MENA
The Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Workers in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Scoping Review
International Journal of Public Health Review, 4 January 2023
This article reviews the literature on the mental health of healthcare workers, including stress or distress, anxiety, depression, burnout, insomnia, and fear or phobia within the different countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Disparities Among Arab, Middle Eastern, and West Asian Populations in Toronto: Implications for Improving Health Equity Among Middle Eastern and North African Communities in the United States
Health Promotion Practice, 9 January 2023
This article highlights COVID-related disparities among Arab, Middle Eastern, and West Asian populations in Toronto, and discusses the implications for improving health equity among MENA communities in the United States.
Gender Disparity in Healthcare Accessibility across the MENA Region
Social Science Research Network, 19 January 2023
This working paper examines the underlying factors that perpetuate gender inequalities in healthcare access across the MENA region in light of the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on socially marginalized groups such as women and the LGBTQ+ community.
Nesting the SIRV Model with NAR, LSTM and Statistical Methods to Fit and Predict COVID-19 Epidemic Trend in Africa
BMC Public Health, 19 January 2023
This article analyzes the development trend of the COVID-19 epidemic in the top 15 African countries with the cumulative number of active cases (including Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Algeria) and discusses the predictability of the epidemic using a nested model.
Global Investments in Pandemic Preparedness and COVID-19: Development Assistance and Domestic Spending on Health Between 1990 and 2026
The Lancet Global Health, 24 January 2023
Focusing on the Arab states in the MENA and Sub-Saharan Africa regions, this article provides a comparative assessment of health spending & investments in pandemic preparedness at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Algeria
Contribution of Numerical Simulation to the Study of Pedestrian Mobility in the Context of COVID-19: Case of a University Campus in Algeria
Architectural Science Review, 12 January 2023
This article assesses the impact of COVID-related measures such as social distancing and confinement on pedestrian mobility in a university campus in Algeria and proposes a tool to enable the readjustment of space and people’s behavior to maintain academic activities with a minimum health risk.
Bahrain
Digital Transformation Adoption in Human Resources Management During COVID-19
Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research, 16 January 2023
This article investigates the factors related to human resource (HR) digital transformation (DT) in Bahrain during the COVID-19 pandemic and analyzes the impact of e-human resource management (e-HRM) on organizational performance.
Bahrain: Natural Cosmetics Market and the Impact of COVID-19 in the Medium Term
WMStrategy, 16 January 2023
This report presents an overview of the Bahraini natural cosmetics market, how it was impacted by COVID-19, and a forecast of market development in the medium term.
Safety and Efficacy of COVID-19 Prime-Boost Vaccinations: Homologous BBIBP-CorV Versus Heterologous BNT162b2 Boosters in BBIBP-CorV-primed Individuals
Vaccine, 23 January 2023
This article reports the findings of an observational community trial conducted across Bahrain investigating the reactogenic and immunogenic response of heterologous vs homologous COVID-19 vaccine boosting.
A Comparative Study of the Effects of Distance Learning and Face-to-Face Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic on Learning Mathematical Concepts in Primary Students of the Kingdom of Bahrain
Education Sciences, 28 January 2023
This article compares the effectiveness of face-to-face learning and distance learning in helping fourth-grade primary students learn mathematical concepts. It analyzes data from 120 fourth-grade students in Bahrain.
Demographic and Viral-Genetic Analyses of COVID-19 Severity in Bahrain Identify Local Risk Factors and a Protective Effect of Polymerase Mutations
medRxiv, 30 January 2023
This article analyzes paired viral sequencing and non-genetic host data to understand host and viral determinants of severe COVID-19 infections and estimates the effects of demographic variables specific to the Bahraini population.
Egypt
Association Between Diabetes-Related Distress and Glycemic Control in Primary Care Patients with Type 2 Diabetes During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic in Egypt
Journal of Family and Community Medicine, 1 January 2023
This article evaluates the relationship between diabetes-related distress and glycemic control in diabetic patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in primary care settings in Egypt during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Self-Medication with Antibiotics Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior Among an Egyptian Rural Population During the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic
The Egyptian Journal of Community Medicine, 1 January 2023
This article investigates SMA (self-medication with Antibiotics) behavior and its associated factors, based on the TPB (Theory of Planned Behavior) in an Egyptian rural population, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Public Opinion Towards COVID-19 Vaccination in Egypt
The Egyptian Journal of Community Medicine, 1 January 2023
This article assesses the opinion of study participants at Beni-Suef University toward the COVID-19 vaccine and the risk factors associated with their fear of inoculation.
Materialism, Life Satisfaction and Compulsive Buying Behavior: An Empirical Investigation on Egyptian Consumers amid COVID‑19 Pandemic
International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing, 5 January 2023
This article examines how Egyptian consumers’ materialistic values and views of their general life satisfaction could be shaped by CBB (compulsive buying behavior) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Assessment of COVID-19 Preparedness Response Plan on Higher Education Students Simulation of WHO Intra-Action Review in Egypt
Nature Scientific Reports, 13 January 2023
This article proposes a risk evaluation of planned regular mass gathering events during the COVID-19 pandemic at higher education institutions in Egypt by implementing the WHO Mass Gatherings COVID-19 risk assessment tool.
COVID-19 Pandemic: Perception, Attitude, and Practices of University Students from Health Sector Faculties
The Egyptian Journal of Bronchology, 16 January 2023
This article assesses the perceptions, attitudes, and practices of university students in three health sector faculties (Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy) from six Egyptian universities towards COVID-19 pandemic preventive measures.
Incidence of Incidental Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography Signs of COVID-19 in Asymptomatic Cancer Patients in Egypt
East Mediterranean Health Journal, 19 January 2023
This article examines the incidence of incidental positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) signs of COVID-19 in asymptomatic cancer patients at Misr Radiology Center in Cairo.
Prevalence and Correlates of Depressive Symptoms Among Nurses During COVID-19 Pandemic
The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, 30 January 2023
This article assess both the prevalence and the predictors of depressive symptoms among nurses exposed to COVID-19 patients.
Iraq
Prevalence of Mental Health Problems Among Iraqi University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 1 January 2023
This article designed a ‘Kurdish version’ of the Mental Health Problem Scale (MHPQ) to assess the prevalence of mental health issues among university students in Iraq during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Levels of D-Dimer, Ferritin, Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio, and Monocyte to Lymphocyte Ratio for Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Baghdad-Iraq: A Case-Control Study
Journal of Positive School Psychology, 1 January 2023
This article measures D-dimer, Ferritin, NLR, and MLR levels in the blood of severe COVID-19 patients in Baghdad to find if there is a link between these markers and COVID-19 severe infection.
Oxidative DNA Damage in Relation to the Severity of COVID-19 Infection in Duhok City, Kurdistan Region- Iraq
Journal of Life and Bio Sciences Research, 5 January 2023
This article examines Oxidative Deoxyribonucleic Acid damage in patients with mild and severe COVID-19 infection in Duhok City, Iraq, and evaluates its relationship to the disease progression and severity.
COVID-19 with Hyperglycemia Among Iraqi Patients in Baghdad
HIV Nursing, 7 January 2023
This article examines the link between COVID-19 and hyperglycemia, and its impact on biochemical parameters in the serum of Iraqi patients.
Assessment of Acceptance, Concerns and Side Effects Towards COVID-19 Vaccination Among the Community: A Cross-Sectional Study from Baghdad, Iraq
Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 14 January 2023
This article assesses the uptake, perceptions, and concerns towards COVID-19 vaccines and examines the incidence of vaccines’ side effects among the Iraqi population in Baghdad province.
Taste Detection Threshold in Relation to Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine
Cureus, 15 January 2023
This article evaluates the taste detection threshold after the second shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination at different intervals and after the booster shot by studying a sample of healthcare workers in Iraq.
Public Engagement in Government Officials’ Posts on Social Media During Coronavirus Lockdown
PLOS One, 23 January 2023
This article examines how the Iraqi public engages in officials’ posts about COVID-19 on social media and identifies the factors influencing the levels of engagement.
Locking Down Violence: The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Non-State Actor Violence
American Political Science Review, 30 January 2023
This article examines the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on ISIS activity in Iraq and argues that these measures are likely to reduce non-state actor violence, especially in urban and non-base areas by depleting actors’ resources, reducing the number of high-value civilian targets, and making it logistically more difficult to conduct attacks.
Jordan
A Qualitative Exploration of Children’s Willingness to Take the COVID-19 Vaccine in Jordan
Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 3 January 2023
This article shows a willingness among participants (54 students aged 6-14) from primary and secondary schools in Jordan to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Studying the Impact of Administrative Empowerment As a Mediating Variable in the Relationship Between Organizational Commitment and Administrative Creativity: A Field Study in the Jordanian Pharmaceutical Companies in Light of COVID-19
Jordan Journal of Business Administration, 12 January 2023
This article examines the impact of organizational commitment, with its various dimensions, on administrative creativity within Jordanian pharmaceutical companies during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the existence of administrative empowerment as a mediating variable.
Analyzing the Effects of Actions Followed by the Central Bank of Jordan During COVID-19 Pandemic on Financial Performance of Jordanian Banks
Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research, 12 January 2023
This article analyzes the impact of the procedures followed by the Central Bank of Jordan during the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial performance of Jordanian banks listed on the Amman Stock Exchange over the period (2019Q1–2021Q3).
Mental Health of COVID-19 Recovered Individuals: A National Study from Jordan
Electronic Journal of General Medicine, 14 January 2023
This article investigates the possible between COVID-19 infection and subsequent long-term mental consequences among patients recovering from the disease in Jordan.
The Impact of COVID-19 National Lockdown on Myocardial Infarction (MI) Hospitalizations in Northern Jordan
Vascular Health and Risk Management, 20 January 2023
This article investigates the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on the mean number of myocardial infarction (MI) hospital admissions in Northern Jordan.
COVID-19 and Non-Communicable Diseases in Complex Vulnerable Populations: Evidence from Jordan
Primary Health Care Research & Development, 20 January 2023
This article reviews the literature to extrapolate findings regarding the burden of NCDs (non-communicable diseases) in Jordan during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and to highlight the vulnerability of already disadvantaged populations, like migrants and refugees.
Kuwait
Effectiveness of Virtual Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Perceived Anxiety and Depression of Physicians During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pre-Post Experimental Study
Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9 January 2023
This article examines the effectiveness of virtual mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on physicians’ perceived anxiety and depression and different facets of mindfulness.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Effect on Resident Physicians’ Mental Well-Being: A Cross-Sectional Study in Kuwait
Cureus, 10 January 2023
This article describes the impact of working during the COVID-19 pandemic on resident physicians’ mental health in Kuwait.
Comparing Virtual Political Campaigns with Traditional Political Campaigns: Evidence from Kuwait During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Global Knowledge, Memory, and Communication, 27 January 2023
This article investigates how virtual campaigns are affecting voters in the elections of Kuwait, as well as whether such virtual campaigns will replace traditional campaigns in the post-COVID era.
Perceived Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) and Fear toward COVID-19 Among Patients with Diabetes Attending Primary Healthcare Centers in Kuwait
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 29 January 2023
This article assesses perceived fears, knowledge, attitude, and prevention practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19 infection among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) attending primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in Kuwait.
Lebanon
The Role of Lebanon in the COVID-19 Butterfly Effect: The B.1.398 Example
Viruses, 16 January 2023
This article provides retrospective genomic surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Lebanon by sequencing the viral genomes of 200 nasopharyngeal samples collected from patients in different regions of Lebanon and from travelers crossing the Lebanese–Syrian border.
Response to COVID-19 in Lebanon: Update, Challenges and Lessons Learned
Epidemiology and Infection, 16 January 2023
This article traces the epidemiologic evolution of COVID-19 in Lebanon pre- and post-vaccination, highlights the challenges affecting the response and recovery, and underscores the lessons learned.
Access of Syrian Refugees to COVID-19 Testing in Lebanon
East Mediterranean Health Journal, 19 January 2023
This article examines the barriers facing Syrian refugees in Lebanon regarding access to COVID-19 tests. It argues that despite the availability of free testing services, psychological, cultural, environmental, and financial barriers diminished the utilization of tests in this group.
Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 Vaccinated Healthcare Workers in Lebanon
BMC Medical Genomics, 27 January 2023
This article presents the first national SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance among healthcare workers in Lebanon.
Morocco
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Participation of a Pharmacist in Patient Care for Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients in Morocco: A Prospective Study
Le Pharmacien Clinicien, 9 January 2023
This article examines pharmacists’ role in COVID-19 critical care facilities in Morocco and highlights the main drug-related shortages and the pharmacists’ recommendations.
Acute Kidney Injury and Urinary Sediment Abnormalities in Hospitalized Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Morocco
European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 25 January 2023
This article examines the prevalence of Acute Kidney Injury and urinary sediment abnormalities in patients with COVID-19 in Morocco and evaluates the associated factors and outcomes in hospitalized patients.
Prevalence and Predictive Determinants of Adherence to Vaccination against COVID-19 Among Mothers Who Gave Birth in the Last Two Years in Morocco
Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 28 January 2023
This article assesses the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination among new mothers, explores the determinants of reluctance or adherence to vaccination among this population, and probes the willingness to get vaccinated among those yet to receive the vaccine.
Oman
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Adverse Skin Reactions to Personal Protective Equipment Among Healthcare Workers in Oman During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic
Cureus, 1 January 2023
This article assesses the prevalence of adverse skin reactions to PPE (personal protective equipment) among healthcare workers from occupational and domestic exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic in Oman.
Palestine
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Correlation Between Proinflammatory Cytokines and Severity of COVID-19 within Palestinian Patients
An-Najah National University, 1 January 2023
This article assesses the correlation between proinflammatory cytokine serum levels and COVID-19 symptoms in the Palestinian population.
Assessment of Preparedness for Response to COVID-19 by Two Hospitals in the Gaza Strip
East Mediterranean Health Journal, 1 January 2023
This article assesses the preparedness of two hospitals in the Gaza Strip concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. It finds that the level of preparedness is unsatisfactory (55.75%).
Side Effects of Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2) COVID-19 Vaccine Reported by the Birzeit University Community
BMC Infectious Diseases, 5 January 2023
This article investigates the adverse events following the inoculation by Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines at the Vaccine administration in Palestine and identifies the occurrence, extent, and severity among university staff, employees, and students at Birzeit University.
Qatar
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Pneumomediastinum in Association with COVID-19: A Less Commonly Considered Differential Diagnosis for Worsening Respiratory Failure
Qatar Medical Journal, 2 January 2023
This article reports contrasting clinical cases of a 29-year-old man and a 68-year-old man who developed spontaneous and secondary PM (Pneumomediastinum) in association with COVID-19.
Evaluation of Mortality Attributable to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Administration Using National Level Data from Qatar
Nature Communications, 3 January 2023
This article presents a modified algorithm using criteria suggested by the World Health Organization to investigate the possible link between mRNA COVID-19 vaccination and deaths in Qatar at a national level.
Qatar: Tampons and Sanitary Pads Market and the Impact of COVID-19 in the Medium Term
WMStrategy, 16 January 2023
This report presents an overview of the Qatari tampons and sanitary pads market, the impact of COVID-19 on it, and a forecast for market development in the medium term.
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 (HAIs) in an intensive care unit (ICU) in Qatar during a 10-year period and compares the findings with that of HAI incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Effects of Thrombocytopenia, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and Endothelial Dysfunction on Clinical Outcomes in Patients with COVID-19
Qatar Medical Journal, 28 December 2022
This article evaluates the combined effect of thrombocytopenia and other markers of endothelial dysfunction on disease outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and active COVID-19 infection in Qatar.
Exploring the Challenges of Virtual Internships During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Potential Influence on the Professional Identity of Health Professions Students: A View from Qatar University
Frontiers in Medicine, 30 January 2023
This article investigates the challenges of virtual internships during the COVID-19 pandemic and their influence on the professional identity (PI) of the health cluster students from the College of Medicine, the College of Health Sciences, and the College of Pharmacy at Qatar University.
Short- and Longer-Term All-Cause Mortality Among SARS-CoV-2-Infected Persons and the Pull-Forward Phenomenon in Qatar
medRxiv, 30 January 2023
This working paper reports the findings of a national, matched, retrospective cohort study in Qatar to assess the risk of all-cause mortality in a cohort of people infected with COVID-19 compared with a reference national control cohort of uninfected persons.
Saudi Arabia
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Impact of COVID-19 on Home Health-Care Sector in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review
Unified Nursing Research, Midwifery & Women’s Health Journal, 3 January 2023
This article examines the changes and challenges that occurred in the field of home healthcare (HHC) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, assesses the growth and spread of HHC in both the public and private sectors, and maps the future of HHC in Saudi Arabia in connection with the 2030 Vision of the Saudi government.
Long-Term Outcomes of COVID-19 Otolaryngology Symptoms in Saudi Arabia
Cureus, 6 January 2023
This article measures the prevalence of the most common symptoms and different long-term otorhinolaryngology manifestations among COVID-19-positive patients in Saudi Arabia.
Stress Perception Among Dental Practitioners in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Signa Vitae, 7 January 2023
This article assesses stress levels among dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate the perceptions of dental practitioners after the outbreak.
Modelling the Impact of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions on the Spread of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia
Scientific Reports, 16 January 2023
This article uses mathematical modeling to reconstruct the complete spectrum dynamics of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia between 2 March and 25 September 2020 accounting for asymptomatic and presymptomatic infectiousness, time-varying ascertainable infection rate, and transmission rates.
Impact of Online Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Students and Faculty Members: A Cross-Sectional Study from Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia
Qatar University, 21 January 2023
This article investigates the extent to which teachers in Saudi Arabia perceive online instruction as an effective mode of education during public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Side Effects Associated with Homologous and Heterologous COVID-19 Vaccines: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia
Cureus, 21 January 2023
This article evaluates the type and severity of adverse effects following COVID-19 vaccination based on the type and platform of received vaccine and to determine the factors causing the occurrence of these side effects.
Community Perception and Attitude Towards COVID-19 Vaccination for Children in Saudi Arabia
Vaccines, 22 January 2023
This article estimates the percentage of study participants in Saudi Arabia who support COVID-19 vaccination for children.
Students’ Perception of Asynchronous versus Synchronous Distance Learning During COVID-19 Pandemic in a Medical College, Southwestern Region of Saudi Arabia
BMC Medical Education, 23 January 2023
This article assesses and compares the perceptions of students regarding their learning experiences in the synchronous vs. asynchronous modes of instruction during the compulsory online mode of instruction at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia.
Assessment of the Prevalence and Incidence of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 24 January 2023
This article examines the origin, epidemiology, pathophysiology, transmission, and impact of COVID-19 while highlighting the knowledge about its variants.
Somalia
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Auditing the Quality of Epidemic Decision-Making in Somalia: A Pilot Evaluation
BMJ Open, 3 January 2023
This article assesses decision-making quality by piloting an audit tool among decision-makers responding to the COVID-19 epidemic in Somalia.
Evaluation of COVID-19 Vaccination Rate in Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Hospital in Mogadishu Somalia: A Cross-sectional Study
Somalia Turkiye Medical Journal, 15 January 2023
This article examines the COVID-19 vaccination rate among healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Microfinance Institutions in Somalia
Journal of Islamic Economics, 15 January 2023
Drawing on a case study in Mogadishu and Hargeisa, this article investigates how COVID-19 has affected microfinance institutions in Somalia.
Sudan
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The Economic Impact of the Coronavirus [COVID-19] Pandemic on Sudan’s Foreign Trade
Journal of World Economy, 4 January 2023
This article explores the preliminary economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Sudan’s foreign trade, focusing on its trade relations with China, which many in Sudan’s business class believe to be “the source of the pandemic.”
A First Report on Side-Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines Among General Population in Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Vaccines, 31 January 2023
This article estimates the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination among the general Sudanese population and investigates the frequency and level of reported side effects.
Tunisia
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Incidence and Risk Factors of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Workers in a Public Health Laboratory in Tunisia
Archives of Virology, 20 January 2023
This article measures the extent of COVID-19 infection among workers at the Institut Pasteur de Tunis (IPT), a public health laboratory involved in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia, and to identify the risk factors for infection in this occupational setting.
UAE
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Experience of the United Arab Emirates in the Use of Monoclonal Antibody Drug Sotrovimab in High-Risk Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Patients with COVID-19: An Observational Cohort Study
BMJ Open, 10 January 2023
This article describes the experience of using sotrovimab in patients with COVID-19 at high risk for disease progression and hospitalization within the United Arab Emirates (UAE).