Mofeed Digest: August 2023

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 | EgyptIraqJordanLebanonLibyaMoroccoOman
PalestineQatarSaudi ArabiaSomaliaSudanSyriaTunisiaUAE]

MENA

[Back to Top]

A Comparative Hierarchical Data-Centric Approach to Monitor Social Permeability, Coping otential and Social Vulnerability in Facing COVID-19 Crisis in Africa
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 15 July 2023
This article examines social permeability, coping potential, and social vulnerability as the bases of assessment in a hierarchical independent approach to positioning 8 African countries (including Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria) with regards to their experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Gender-Based Impacts of COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sexuality, Gender & Policy, 28 August 2023
This article examines into the education, socio-economic, and gender-specific effects of the COVID-19 pandemic within the context of Djibouti, the Comoros and other Sub-Saharan states.  


Algeria

[Back to Top]

Analysis of COVID-19 Model under Caputo Fractional Derivative with Case Study of Algeria
Research Square, 7 August 2023
This working paper proposes a model illustrating how the susceptible, exposed, infectious, quarantined, recovered, deceased and protected populations in Algeria evolve over time under different parameters of the mathematical model, providing decision makers with valuable insights for formulating effective mitigation strategies tailored to Algeria’s COVID-19 crisis. 


Bahrain

[Back to Top]

The Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Antibiotic Usage during Pregnancy
Saudi Medical Journal, 1 August 2023
This article investigates the usage of antibiotics during pregnancy before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Kingdom of Bahrain.


Egypt

[Back to Top]

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) of Antimicrobial Prescription and Its Resistance Among Health Care Providers in the COVID-19 Era: A Cross Sectional Study
PLOS One, 10 August 2023
This article assesses the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of healthcare providers (HCPs) toward antibiotics prescription and antibiotics resistance in Egypt as part of the response the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Antecedents of COVID-19 Contagion on Quality of Audit Evidence in Egypt
Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 14 August 2023
This article assesses the perception of academics and practitioners regarding pandemic ramifications that may have impacted audit evidence quality during the COVID-19 contagion in Egypt.

Dermoscopy-Assisted Prevalence of Hair Loss After COVID-19 Vaccination Among an Egyptian Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Irish Journal of Medical Science, 15 August 2023
This article assesses dermoscopically the prevalence of hair loss among an Egyptian population following COVID-19 vaccination.

Comparison of SARS-Cov-2 Omicron Variant with the Previously Identified SARS-Cov-2 Variants in Egypt, 2020–2022: Insight into SARS-Cov-2 Genome Evolution and Its Impact on Epidemiology, Clinical Picture, Disease Severity, and Mortality
BMC Infectious Diseases, 18 August 2023
This article combines epidemiological data and genomic analysis to better describe the epidemiologic, clinical, and genomic characteristics of the omicron variant in Egypt during the COVID-19 pandemic and compares it to other variants of concern.  

Using the Health Belief Model to Assess COVID-19 Perceptions and Behaviours Among a Group of Egyptian Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
BMC Public Health, 25 August 2023
This article examines the perceptions of a group of Egyptian adults regarding the COVID-19 pandemic using the Health Belief Model (HBM), aiming to measure self-reported practice of preventive behaviors and to identify influencing factors.

Role of Personality, Health Beliefs and Fear of COVID-19 in Engagement of Adaptive and Maladaptive Behaviors Among Egyptians during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, 31 August 2023
This article investigates the association between personality traits, health beliefs, and adaptive or maladaptive behaviors among a population of over 1000 Egyptian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. 


Iraq

[Back to Top]

Challenges and Difficulties Faced by ESP Teachers in Teaching during COVID-19 Pandemic in Iraq
Arab World English Journals, 8 August 2023
This article investigates the challenges and difficulties faced by ESP teachers in online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq, underscoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on teaching.

Prevalence of Long COVID-19 Among Pediatric Age Group in Duhok City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
medRxiv, 9 August 2023
This working paper examines the prevalence of long COVID-19 among the children who tested positive for an antibody (IgG) test in Duhok City in Kurdistan. 

Studying the Effect of COVID-19 on Liver Enzymes and Lipid Profile in Iraqi Recovering Patients
Baghdad Science Journal, 30 August 2023
This article examines the lipid profiles and liver enzyme levels in individuals in Iraq who had recovered from COVID-19. 

COVID-19 Vaccines, Perceptions and Trust Amongst Vaccine Refusers: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis Study
Vacunas, 31 August 2023
This article uses a descriptive qualitative research design to examine the perceptions of the persons who did not believe in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in Iraqi Kurdistan.

High Mortality Rates Among COVID-19 Intensive Care Patients in Iraq: Insights from a Retrospective Cohort Study at Médecins Sans Frontières Supported Hospital in Baghdad
Frontiers in Public Health, 31 August 2023
This article examines the clinical characteristics, the length of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stays, and the mortality outcomes of COVID-19 patients admitted to the COVID-19 ICU at Al-Kindi Ministry of Health hospital in Baghdad.


Jordan

[Back to Top]

Impact of Electronic Games Addiction Post COVID-19 on the Mental Health of Public-School Students in Jordan
International Journal of Education and Practice, 7 August 2023
This article investigates addiction to electronic games and its impact on mental health among adolescent students post-COVID-19 in public schools in Jordan.

Effectiveness and Difficulties of E-Learning as Viewed by the Secondary Stage Students during COVID-19 Pandemic in Jordan
Pegem Journal of Education and Instruction, 8 August 2023
This article evaluates e-learning activities as viewed by the Jordanian high-schoolers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Qualitative Assessment of the Adverse Effects Associated with COVID-19 Vaccines: A Study from Jordan
Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, 10 August 2023
This article qualitatively examines the side effects reported by participants in Jordan who received COVID-19 vaccines.

Perspective of Healthcare Providers on Assessing the Quality and Accessibility of Health Services for Chronic Diseases in Jordan during COVID-19: A Mixed Method Study
BMC Health Services Research, 23 August 2023
This article assesses the level of quality and accessibility of chronic disease services from the perspectives of healthcare providers, and explores the barriers and facilitators of quality and accessibility to chronic disease health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Loneliness Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Jordan
Cureus, 23 August 2023
This article examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the levels of loneliness among Jordanian university students.


Lebanon

[Back to Top]

Perception and Attitude of Lebanese IBD Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Patient Preference and Adherence, 5 August 2023
This article examines the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the daily habits of IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) patients and on their compliance to follow-up and treatment.

Determinants of Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccine Intent or Uptake in Lebanon: A Scoping Review of the Literature
BMC Infectious Diseases, 6 August 2023
This article conducts a scoping review of the literature to examine the determinants of influenza and COVID-19 vaccine intent or uptake in Lebanon.

Is COVID-19 Incriminated in New Onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Lebanese Adults?
BMC Research Notes, 18 August 2023
This article examines the association between COVID-19 infection and new onset type 2 diabetes in Lebanese adults.

Prevalence and Predictors of Vitamin D Deficiency in Lebanon: 2016–2022, before and during the COVID-19 Outbreak
Endocrine, 19 August 2023
This article assesses the prevalence and the predictors of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels during the last 7 years among a Lebanese population to study the changes of vitamin D deficiency before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Dermatological Manifestations Associated with COVID-19 and COVID-19 Vaccination: Results from the Lebanese COVID Registry
International Journal of Dermatology, 28 August 2023
This article examines the dermatological manifestations and adverse cutaneous reactions associated with COVID-19 infection and vaccination in a sample of the Lebanese population.


Libya

[Back to Top]

Impact of vaccination and risk factors on COVID-19 mortality amid delta wave in Libya: A single center cohort study
PLOS One, 4 August 2023
This article examines the risk factors for COVID-19 mortality as well as mortality rates among unvaccinated and vaccinated adults during the Delta wave who were admitted to a single COVID-19 care center in Tripoli, Libya.


Morocco 

[Back to Top]

Implementing Distance Learning during COVID-19 in Morocco: Pedagogical Gains, Challenges, and Leaners’ Attitudes
Arab World English Journals, 12 August 2023
This article investigates the pedagogical gains of implementing distance learning at Moroccan secondary schools via Microsoft Teams during the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges participants encountered.


Oman

[Back to Top]

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Pattern of Trauma Presenting to a Tertiary Care Trauma Centre in Oman
Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 1 August 2023
This article investigate the change in the pattern of the presentation of trauma cases at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital before the COVID-19 pandemic and during its first two waves.

A Comparative Study of SARS-CoV-2 and Common Human Coronavirus Infections Among Children Presenting to Tertiary Care in Oman
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 9 August 2023
This article examines the clinical manifestations, laboratory characteristics, and outcomes of children presenting to tertiary care in Oman with SARS-CoV-2 or common human coronaviruses (HCoV) infection.


Palestine

[Back to Top]

Concerns, Perceived Risk, and Hesitancy on COVID-19 Vaccine: A Qualitative Exploration Among University Students Living in the West Bank
Epidemiology & Infection, 7 August 2023
This article examines Palestinian university students’ perceptions and concerns about COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy.

Nurses’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices regarding COVID-19 National Guidelines in Selected Palestine Public Hospitals
Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 15 August 2023
This article assesses nurses’ KAP (knowledge, attitudes and practices) toward prescribed COVID-19 hospital guidelines by using a cross-sectional, quantitative and descriptive design involving a total of 340 nurses working in hospitals and health care centers in Palestine. 


Qatar

[Back to Top]

Population Immunity of Natural Infection, Primary-Series Vaccination, and Booster Vaccination in Qatar during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Observational Study
eClinical Medicine, 1 August 2023
This article evaluates population immunities in Qatar between July 1, 2020, and November 30, 2022, in order to identify generic features of the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2.

Bivalent mRNA-1273.214 Vaccine Effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB* Infections
Journal of Travel Medicine, 9 August 2023
This article evaluates the COVID-19 bivalent vaccination’s effectiveness against COVID-19 in Qatar where this vaccine type was introduced in October of 2022. 

Wastewater-Based Epidemiology for Tracking Bacterial Diversity and Antibiotic Resistance in COVID-19 Isolation Hospitals in Qatar
Journal of Hospital Infection, 25 August 2023
This article examines the bacterial diversity and identify antibiotic-resistant genes profiles in hospital wastewater pathogens obtained from COVID-19 isolation hospitals compared to non-COVID-19 facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar.


Saudi Arabia

[Back to Top]

Predictive Value of Ferritin, Glucose, Urea, and Creatinine for COVID-19 Severity and Mortality in Patients from Asir, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Medical Journal, 1 August 2023
This article examines correlates between demographics, blood groupings, and laboratory characteristics of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia and disease severity and outcomes.

Anatomy e-Learning Experience in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 Pandemic – A Narrative Review
International Journal of Morphology, 1 August 2023
This article assesses the attitude and perception of students and teaching faculty of healthcare professional courses towards Anatomy online teaching in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evaluation of the Most Visible Symptoms Associated with COVID-19 Vaccines Among the Residents of Makkah, Saudi Arabia: An Observational, Cross-Sectional Study
Infection and Drug Resistance, 8 August 2023
This article evaluates the most visible symptoms associated with COVID-19 vaccines among residents in Makkah of Saudi Arabia.

A Predictive Vaccination Strategy Based on a Swarm Intelligence Technique for the Case of Saudi Arabia: A Control Engineering Approach
Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, 9 August 2023
This article proposes an optimal COVID-19 vaccination strategy in short and medium terms in order to help the local health authorities in Saudi Arabia to first assess the vaccination campaign and to propose a predictive vaccination plan for eradicating the disease.

Comparative Assessment of Oral Health Attitudes and Behaviors of First-Time and Previous Dental Patients Undergoing Exodontia Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Private Dental Clinics in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia
Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 16 August 2023
This article assesses the oral health attitudes and behaviors of first-time and previous patients undergoing dental extractions during the COVID-19 pandemic at private dental clinics in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia.

Impact of COVID-19 Vaccination on General Surgical Emergencies in Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia: A Single-Center Retrospective Chart Review
Cureus, 17 August 2023
This article examines the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination effects on the number of patients presenting with emergent surgical illnesses or requiring emergency general surgical procedures in Al-Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia. 

COVID-19 and Pediatric Rheumatology: A Comprehensive Study from a Leading Tertiary Center in Saudi Arabia
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 18 August 2023
This article investigates the rate, clinical manifestations, risk factors, and outcomes of COVID-19 infection in pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases in Saudi Arabia.

Burnout and Quality of Life Among Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia
Italian Journal of Medicine, 22 August 2023
This article assesses burnout, work-life balance (WLB), and quality of life (QoL) among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Impact of COVID-19 on Pediatric Emergency Fellowship Training in Saudi Arabia
International Journal of Emergency Medicine, 28 August 2023
This article examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the academic and clinical processes of pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) fellowship training held by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS).


Somalia

[Back to Top] ​

Backsliding on Childhood Immunizations Due to Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study in Banadir Region, Somalia
The African Journal of Infectious Diseases, 1 August 2023
This article assesses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine childhood immunization coverage in Somalia.

The Importance of Community Health Workers as Frontline Responders during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Somalia, 2020–2021
Frontiers in Public Health, 17 August 2023
This article examines the contribution of community health workers as frontline responders for the community-based surveillance in Somalia during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic for detection of COVID-19 cases and identification of contacts.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards COVID-19 Pandemic Among Health Workers in Bosaso, Somalia
Central African Journal of Public Health, 28 August 2023
This article examines healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 in Bosaso, Somalia. 


Sudan

[Back to Top]

Low Uptake of COVID-19 Vaccines in Wad Medani City, Gezira State, Sudan: Hesitancy and Poor Accessibility
Vaccine: X, 18 August 2023
This article assesses COVID-19 vaccine uptake and hesitancy in one of the largest Urban settings in Sudan.


Syria

[Back to Top]

“In general people aren’t excited about the vaccine…”: Frontline Perspectives on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy across Syria
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 25 July 2023
This article assesses COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy by drawing from 37 semi-structured interviews with frontline health-workers and service-users across Syria’s major military areas-of-control.


Tunisia

[Back to Top]

Awake Prone Positioning for COVID-19 Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure in Tunisia
Acute and Critical Care, 21 August 2023
This article investigates whether awake prone position (PP) can impact prognosis of severe hypoxemia in COVID-19 patients in Tunisia.

The Impact of Job Loss on Mental Health during the COVID-19 Crisis in Tunisia: Analysis Based on Counterfactual Decomposition Approach
Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 23 August 2023
This article investigates the impact of job loss on the mental health of individuals in Tunisia during the COVID-19 crisis.


UAE

[Back to Top]

Plasma Metabolomics Profiling Identifies New Predictive Biomarkers for Disease Severity in COVID-19 Patients
PLOS One, 10 August 2023
This article proposes a highly predictive model of disease severity by integrating routine laboratory findings and plasma metabolites, including cytosine, as a potential biomarker of COVID-19 disease severity.