Mofeed Digest: September 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 |  Bahrain | EgyptIraqJordanLebanonMoroccoOman
PalestineQatarSaudi ArabiaSyriaTunisiaUAE]


MENA

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Machine Learning Techniques for the Identification of Risk Factors Associated with Food Insecurity among Adults in Arab Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic
BMC Public Health, 16 September 2023 
This article reports that Jordanian, Palestinian, Lebanese, and Saudi Arabian respondents reported the highest rates of food insecurity in the Arab region during the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas Oman and Bahrain reported the lowest rates. 

Estimation of Epidemiological Parameters and Ascertainment Rate from Early Transmission of COVID-19 across Africa
Royal Society Open Science, 20 September 2023 
This article reconstructs the initial transmission of COVID-19 in 54 African countries (including Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Madagascar, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan, and Tunisia) using a deterministic mathematical model accounting for under-reporting and various levels of severity of infections. 

Assessing the Acceptability of COVID-19 Vaccine and Its Booster Dose
Immunity, Inflammation and Disease, 26 September 2023
This article reports the findings of a study conducted in Saudi Arabia and Jordan aiming to assess the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine and the factors that impact the decision to take the COVID-19 vaccine and its booster dose. 

Did the Emergence of the Omicron Variant Impact the COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in the Arab World? A Twitter-Based Sentiment Analysis
Wellcome Open Research, 29 September 2023
This working paper examines sentiments related to vaccine acceptance before and after the emergence of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in the Arabic-speaking world.


Bahrain

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Super-Spreading Social Events for COVID-19 Transmission: Evidence from the Investigation of Six Early Clusters in Bahrain
Frontiers in Public Health, 7 September 2023
This article examines six early clusters of COVID-19 and derives key transmission parameters from confirmed cases traced between April and June 2020 in Bahrain.

Telemedicine in Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring Patients’ Perspectives
Frontiers in Public Health, 25 September 2023 
This article assesses the challenges facing patients using telemedicine consultations in non-communicable chronic disease clinics in primary care settings in Bahrain during the COVID-19 pandemic. 


Egypt

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Body Mass Index as a Major Prognostic Contributing Factor in COVID-19: A Multicentral Egyptian Study
Infection and Drug Resistance, 8 September 2023
This article argues that the Body Mass Index is a major contributing factor to the outcome of patients with COVID-19 and that patients with the largest BMIs were associated with the worst prognoses.

Comparing the Efficacy of Regen-Cov, Remdesivir, and Favipiravir in Reducing Invasive Mechanical Ventilation Need in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
World Journal of Clinical Cases, 16 September 2023
This article reports the results of an Egyptian study that found that Asirivimab and Imdevimab achieve better clinical outcomes in reducing the need for invasive mechanical ventilation in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, compared to Remdesivir and C Favipiravir.

Telemedicine during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Egyptian Healthcare Professionals’ Views 
Oxford Open Digital Health, 22 August 2023
This article evaluates the acceptability of telemedicine services in Egypt during the COVID-19 pandemic and the relation between the key facilitators and inhibitors of telemedicine services from the perspective of healthcare providers.

Viral Maintenance and Excretion Dynamics of Coronaviruses within an Egyptian Rousette Fruit Bat Maternal Colony: Considerations for Spillover
Nature Scientific Reports, 22 September 2023
This article examines circulating coronaviruses by investigating shedding dynamics and viral maintenance within a natural maternal colony of Egyptian rousette bats monitored at monthly intervals across two years. 


Iraq

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Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccines and Associated Barriers among Dental Students at College of Dentistry, University of Basrah: A Cross-Sectional Study
Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 1 September 2023
This article examines the preferences and practices of 880 dental students at the University of Basrah to assess their familiarity with and willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Bayesian Machine Learning Analysis with Markov Chain Monte Carlo Techniques for Assessing Characteristics and Risk Factors of COVID-19 in Erbil City-Iraq 2020–2021
Alexandria Engineering Journal, 1 September 2023
This article utilizes machine-learning techniques to better identify the characteristics, risk factors, and correlations impacting the outcomes of COVID-19 patients in Erbil City. 

SARS-CoV-2-Associated Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C): A Case Report from Iraq
Pediatric Reports, 4 September 2023
This article reports the case of an Iraqi child patient. It highlights the need for differentiating between COVID-19 and MIS-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children) which is tricky given the overlapping features between the two conditions. 

Perception and Challenges of Virtual Classes with Gender Digital Divide Amidst and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic in Iraq: An Empirical Analysis
Education Research International, 5 September 2023
This article examines the responses of 369 Iraqi school pupils to examine their perceptions and the difficulties they associate with online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Significance of IFITM3 Polymorphism in COVID-19 Asymptomatic and ICU Admission Kurdish Patients
Cytokine, 6 September 2023
This article examines the significance of the genetic polymorphism of IIFITM3 by genotyping two groups of Kurdish COVID-19 patients: asymptomatic and ICU-admitted patient groups.

Sentiment Analysis of Opinions about Online Education in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq during COVID-19
Qeios, 12 September 2023
This working paper assesses the sentiments of learners and educators toward online education during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. 


Jordan

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Migrants and Resources as Challenging Factors in Fighting Covid-19 in Jordan: Social Exchange Perspective
Migration Letters, 2 September 2023
This article examines Jordan’s response to COVID-19 through the lens of Blau’s theory of exchange & power in social life and explores the exchange process amongst the government, migrants, and Jordanians to illustrate how the government exerted maximum control over people’s movements and gatherings. 

A Prospective Study of Extraesophageal Reflux and Potential Microaspiration in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19 in Jordan
BMC Pulmonary Medicine, 12 September 2023
This article examines the potential for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) microaspiration and aerodigestive pathophysiology in a novel prospective investigation of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Jordan.

COVID-19 Presenting As Intractable Hiccups: An Apparently Harmless Yet Misleading Manifestation
Authorea, 16 September 2023
This working paper documents the case of a patient who presented with hiccups and ended up passing away to underscore the importance of maintaining a high level of vigilance for COVID-19, including situations where the only symptom is hiccups.  

The COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance among Jordanian Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study
The Open Nursing Journal, 18 September 2023
This article estimates the prevalence of Jordanian pregnant women who accept receiving the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy, compares beliefs of accepting and non-accepting groups regarding COVID-19 vaccination, and identifies predictors for vaccine uptake.

Self-Directed Learning Skills and Motivation during Distance Learning in the COVID-19 Pandemic (Case Study: The University of Jordan)
Heliyon, 18 September 2023
This article assesses the effect of distance learning on students’ self-directed learning skills and motivation during the lockdown period of the COVID–19 pandemic.

Reported Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 Patients After Hospital Discharge in Jordan
Medicine, 22 September 2023
This article examines the characteristics and patterns of long-term consequences of COVID-19 among recovered patients in Jordan.


Kuwait

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COVID-19 Shock 2020: Impact on Foreign and Kuwaiti Workers and Contrasts with Employment, Earnings and Consumption during Normal Times
Middle East Development Journal, 6 September 2023
This article uses micro-level data from the 2013 official Kuwait Household expenditure survey covering 2961 households and three 2020 COVID-19 shock-related surveys to understand the impact of the pandemic on the consumption profiles of foreign workers in Kuwait. 

Assessing the Digital Information Literacy of Patients during COVID-19 Pandemic: Al-Razi Hospital, Kuwait
Journal of Information Studies & Technology, 30 September 2023
This article investigates the digital health information literacy of patients at Al-Razi Hospital in Kuwait during the COVID–19 pandemic.


Lebanon

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The Lived Experiences of Patients with Cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
eCancer, 4 September 2023
This article examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lived experiences of patients with cancer at the American University of Beirut Medical Center in Lebanon.

Effect of Human-Animal Interaction on the Well-Being and Quality of Life
L’Encéphale, 26 September 2023 
This article investigates the interaction between humans and animals and to compare the well-being and quality of life of pet owners in Lebanon during the COVID-19 pandemic and the country’s economic crisis.


Morocco 

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Identification of New Dihydrophenanthrene Derivatives as Promising Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Drugs through In-Silico Investigations
Main Group Chemistry, 21 September 2023
This article reports the findings of researchers in Casablanca who conducted an in-silico study using bioinformatics techniques to predict new noncovalent inhibitors with better activity against COVID-19. 


Oman

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Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Medical Students during COVID-19 at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman
Cureus, 21 September 2023
This article assesses the rates of depression, anxiety, and stress among medical students at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the factors associated with a higher risk of these mental disruptions.


Palestine

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Necropolitics in the Time of COVID-19: An Analysis of Response Policies in Palestine and Israel
Journal of Palestine Studies, 7 September 2023
This article argues that differences in mortality and vaccination rates between Israelis and Palestinians are a direct result of Israel’s COVID-19 response policies toward the Palestinians throughout the pandemic, as well as its ongoing siege of Gaza and its military occupation of the West Bank including East Jerusalem. 

Association of IFNAR2 rs2236757 and OAS3 rs10735079 Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to COVID-19 Infection and Severity in Palestine
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases, 16 September 2023
This article investigates the potential correlation between the gene polymorphisms of the interferon receptor (IFNAR2) rs2236757 and oligoadenylate synthetase 3 (OAS3) rs10735079 with the risk of COVID-19 infection and its severity among Palestinian patients. 

Stress and Resilience of Nursing Students in Clinical Training During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Palestinian Perspective – Fekry Bsharat, 2023
SAGE Open Nursing, 18 September 2023
This article assesses the perceived stress and resilience among Palestinian nursing students in clinical training during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Qatar

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COVID‐19 Booster Dose Vaccination of Healthcare Workers in Qatar: A Web‐Based Cross‐Sectional Survey
Public Health Challenges, 4 September 2023
This article assesses the acceptability of the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in Qatar. 

Large-Scale Sporting Events during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar with an Analysis of Patterns of COVID-19 Metrics
Biology of Sport, 7 September 2023
This article investigates the impact of the FIFA-WC 2022 on COVID-19 cases, deaths, and reproduction rate in Qatar, understand the implications of hosting large-scale events during a pandemic without COVID-19 restrictive measures, and provide insights for future decision-making. 

From Past to Present: Exploring COVID-19 in Qatar’s Hemodialysis Population across Omicron Dominant and Pre-Omicron Periods
PLOS One, 14 September 2023
This article examines the incidence and outcomes of the COVID-19 Omicron dominant period versus other pre-Omicron periods with regard to hemodialysis patients in Qatar. 


Saudi Arabia

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Viral Aetiology of Severe Acute Respiratory Illness among Patients Admitted during the 2022 Peri-Hajj Period
IJID Regions, 1 September 2023
This article examines the viral aetiology of severe acute respiratory illness among patients admitted to hospitals in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah during the 2022 peri-Hajj period.

COVID-19 Vaccine in Hemodialysis Patients
Saudi Medical Journal, 1 September 2023
This article evaluates anti-spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels of hemodialysis patients and correlates them with patients’ demographic data to evaluate these patients’ need for a COVID-19 vaccine booster.

Post COVID-19 Symptoms Among Infected Vaccinated Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia 
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 4 September 2023
This article evaluates 14 prevalent long-term COVID-19 symptoms among vaccinated individuals and examines the possible effects of COVID-19 vaccination on the persistence of post-recovery symptoms.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Patient Engagement with Primary Healthcare: Lessons from the Saudi Primary Care Setting
BMC Primary Care, 6 September 2023
This article assesses patients’ experiences and views of Saudi Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) during the COVID-19 pandemic and how the latter might have impacted patient engagement with PHCs, patterns of seeking healthcare, and perceived impacts on health.

The Impact of COVID-19 Vaccines on the Development of Acute Complications in Type 1 and 2 Diabetes Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia
International Journal of General Medicine, 7 September 2023
This article examines the effect of COVID-19 vaccines on glycemic control and the development of hyperglycemic emergencies among type 1 and 2 diabetes patients in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. 

Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Unit in Multispecialty Hospital of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study
Healthcare, 8 September 2023
This article identifies and describes the features of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the ICU of one of the multispecialty hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Strategies and Technologies to Prevent Hospital-Acquired Infections: Lessons from SARS, Ebola, and MERS in Saudi Arabia, A Systematic Review 
Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 9 September 2023
This article evaluates the effectiveness, challenges, and implications of infection control measures and technological interventions employed during the SARS (COVID-19), Ebola, and MERS outbreaks in Saudi Arabia.

Period Prevalence of COVID-19 and Influenza Symptoms in 2022 Among Adults in Jazan, Saudi Arabia
Cureus, 12 September 2023
This article estimates the period prevalence of respiratory symptoms associated with COVID-19 and influenza among adults in Jazan, Saudi Arabia in 2022.

Developing a COVID-19 Mortality Prediction (CoMPred) Indicator for ICU Diabetic Patients Treated with Tocilizumab in Saudi Arabia: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Biomedicines, 27 September 2023
This article presents a novel and objective laboratory-based indicator to predict mortality among COVID-19 patients and finds that diabetic status can differentiate between severe and non-severe cases of COVID-19 but cannot predict mortality.

Exploring the Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines (Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna) in Saudi Arabia
Journal of Community Medicine & Public Health, 28 September 2023
This article investigates the possible side effects of COVID-19 vaccination in Saudi Arabia, exploring the association, if any, between different vaccine types and experienced side effects.  


Syria

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Assessment of Attitudes and Practices towards COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey on a Cohort of Educated Syrian Population
Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association, 4 September 2023
This article evaluates the personal attitudes and practices of a cohort of an educated Syrian population, after several waves of infection with COVID-19 and the release of different types of vaccines.

Could Home Management of COVID-19 Cases Alleviate Strain on the Fragile Healthcare System in Damascus, Syria: A Prospective Cohort Study
Research Square, 16 September 2023
This working paper documents the experience of a voluntary medical team that solely provided home care for COVID-19 patients in the Syrian capital. It also assesses the effectiveness of this approach during the first wave, in terms of symptom improvement, hospitalization, and patient outcomes.


Tunisia

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Prevalence and Impact of Diabetes Mellitus in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in a Tunisian Center: A Cross-Sectional Study
Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 1 September 2023
This article evaluates the prevalence and impact of diabetes mellitus on the severity and mortality of COVID-19 in patients at a Tunisian Center.

COVID-19 Pandemic’s Effect on the Mental Health among the Tunisian General Population: Associated Factors Mining Via Machine Learning
Scientific African, 1 September 2023
This article applies machine learning techniques to identify the major factors as well as the clusters of features leading to several psychiatric disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia.


UAE

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Natural Infection Versus Hybrid (Natural and Vaccination) Humoral Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2: A Comparative Paired Analysis
Frontiers in Immunology, 1 September 2023
This article compares the humoral immune response developed in initially seropositive individuals (naturally infected with COVID-19) to the humoral hybrid immune response (developed after infection and vaccination) in the same population group after one year.

The Effect of COVID-19 on the Academic Performance of Zayed University Students in the United Arab Emirates
Frontiers in Psychology, 6 September 2023
This article investigates the impact of COVID-19 on the academic performance of students in the UAE and their satisfaction with remote learning. It also examines gender differences along these variables.

Safety and Immunogenicity of Multivalent SARS-CoV-2 Protein Vaccines: A Randomized Phase 3 Trial
eClinical Medicine, 8 September 2023
This article presents the results of a phase III trial that evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of SCTV01C and SCTV01E in people who had previously received two or three doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines.

Seasonal Prevalence of Respiratory Pathogens Among Children in the United Arab Emirates: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study in the Pre-COVID-19 Era
Cureus, 14 September 2023
This article examines trends in seasonal viral prevalence in order to monitor disease activity and monitor the timing of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) prophylaxis among high-risk infants in the UAE, all from the time prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

HLA Class I Associations with the Severity of COVID-19 Disease in the United Arab Emirates
PLOS One, 14 September 2023
This article examines the effect of HLA class I alleles on the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in 92 patients with COVID-19 in the United Arab Emirates.

Attitudes and Practices Toward COVID‐19 Precautionary Measures: A Comparative Study of Health Professionals and Public
Brain and Behavior, 27 September 2023
This article examines the attitudes toward COVID-19 social measures among laypersons and healthcare professionals in the United Arab Emirates.

Impact of Institutional Performance and Integrity on Public Trust during COVID-19: A Retrospective Examination in the Arabic Context
Public Integrity, 28 September 2023
This article examines trust in public sector institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impacting factors. It does so by analyzing a survey administered to a convenience sample of 1,372 local and expatriate residents in the United Arab Emirates during 2022–2023.