Mofeed Digest: January 2024

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 | EgyptIraqJordanLebanonLibyaMoroccoOman
PalestineQatarSaudi ArabiaSudanTunisiaUAE]


MENA

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Rhino Orbital Cerebral Mucormycosis: A Life-Threatening Complication of Coronavirus Diseases 2019 in an Uncontrolled Diabetic Patient
Turkish Journal of Emergency Medicine, 1 January 2024
This article from Saudi Arabia and the UAE describes a case of rhino orbital mucormycosis resulting in bilateral blindness and intracranial extension in a patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) and mild COVID-19 infection. 

Migrant Workers with COVID-19: A Major Challenge for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries to Curb the Spread of Infection
Global Health Promotion, 5 January 2024
This article examines the challenge of COVID-19 infections among immigrant populations in the GCC and presents recommendations to alleviate the burden on host countries and improve protection measures for migrant workers. 

An AI-based Novel System for Predicting Respiratory Support in COVID-19 Patients through CT Imaging Analysis
Nature Scientific Reports, 8 January 2024
This article from Egypt, KSA, UAE & the US proposes an AI-based diagnostic system to predict the respiratory support required for COVID-19 patients by analyzing the correlation between COVID-19 lesions and the level of respiratory support provided to the patients.

Risk and Performance of Islamic and Conventional Banks under COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from MENA region
Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research, 11 January 2024
This article presents a comparative analysis between Islamic and conventional banks in terms of whether Islamic banks were more or less risk-averse than conventional counterparts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic shock.

Regional Agriculture and Food Systems Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of the Near East and North Africa Region
Foods, 17 January 2024
This article presents a systematic review examining the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on agricultural and food systems in NENA countries.

Effects of First Year COVID-19 Pandemic on Urology Practice in Three Major Arab Countries: Sub-Analysis of a Survey by Arab Association of Urology Research Group
PLOS One, 18 January 2024
This article compares the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on urology practice in Egypt, the KSA, and the UAE during the first year of the pandemic.

Norwegian “Dugnad” as a Rhetorical Device in Public Health Communication during the COVID-19 Pandemic. A Qualitative Study from Immigrant’s Perspectives
Archives of Public Health, 19 January 2024
This article examines how immigrants from Somalia, Syria, and other countries understood and related to the term “dugnad” as used in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway.

Multi-Sectoral Collaborations in Selected Countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Assessment, Enablers and Missed Opportunities from the COVID-19 Pandemic Response
Health Research Policy and Systems, 24 January 2024
This article examines evidence regarding the extent to which multi-sectoral collaborations have been employed in the macro-level responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in nine selected countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR).


Algeria

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Pedagogical and Education-Related Measures Suggested by the Algerian and British Governments for the Higher Education Sector during the COVID-19 Pandemic – A Comparative Study
Academicus International Scientific Journal, 1 January 2024
This article comparatively analyzes the record of pedagogical responses to the COVID-19 pandemic undertaken by higher education authorities in Algeria and the UK.


Egypt

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Predictors of COVID-19 Outcome in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Hospital-Based Study
The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine, 2 January 2024
This article compares the outcome of COVID-19 in diabetic versus non-diabetic populations admitted to Benha University Hospital.

Hypertrophy of Ligamentum Flavum as a Complication of COVID-19 in Young Adult Woman: A Case Report And Review Of Literature. 
Journal Of Medical Case Reports And Case Series, 4 January 2024
This article presents the case of a 27-year-old female patient with Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis with hypertrophy of the Ligamentum Flavum following her COVID-19 infection.

Association of ACE1 I/D Polymorphism and Susceptibility to COVID-19 in Egyptian Children and Adolescents
Pediatric Research, 4 January 2024
This article investigates whether the ACE1 insertion/deletion polymorphism could be a genetic marker for susceptibility to COVID-19 in Egyptian children and adolescents.

MBOAT7 Expression is Associated with Disease Progression in COVID-19 Patients
Molecular Biology Reports, 6 January 2024
This article from Assiut University evaluates the expression of the MBOAT7 gene in COVID-19 patients and correlates it with disease severity and outcomes. 

The Burden of Persistent Symptoms after COVID-19 (Long COVID): A Meta-Analysis of Controlled Studies in Children and Adults
Virology Journal, 11 January 2024
This article compares the burden of persistent symptoms among COVID-19 survivors relative to COVID-19-negative controls.

Comparative Analysis of COVID-19 and Influenza Prevalence among Egyptian Pilgrims Returning from Hajj and Umrah in 2022: Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and Genomic Sequencing
Archives of Public Health, 12 January 2024
This article examines the changes in the SARS-CoV-2 and influenza prevalence, epidemiology, clinical picture, and prevalent genotypes among Egyptian pilgrims returning from the Hajj and Umrah 2022 seasons.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Psychological Aspects and Mental Health of Elite Soccer Athletes: A Systematic Review
Frontiers in Psychology, 24 January 2024
This article assesses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological aspects and mental health of elite soccer athletes from Egypt and other countries.

Association of Common Variant rs9934336 of SLC5A2 (SGLT2) Gene with SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Mortality
Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics, 24 January 2024
This article presents the findings of a worldwide study investigating the effect of rs9934336 (a variant of the SLC5A2 gene) on COVID-19 outcomes.

The Attitude of Maths Teachers in England and Egypt towered Using E- E-Tools during the School Closure during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Research Square, 25 January 2024
This working paper identifies similarities and differences in the challenges and impacts of remote math instruction during the COVID-19 lockdown in Egypt and England. 


Iraq

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Detection of CTLA-4 Level and Humeral Immune Response after the Second Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine in Certain Iraqi Provinces Participants
PLOS One, 5 January 2024
This article examines individuals’ immunity status after administering a second dose of diverse COVID-19 vaccines.

Parameter Changes of COVID-19 Incidence in Baghdad /Iraq, 2020: Infected and Cured Individuals: A Retrospective Single Center Study
Health Biotechnology and Biopharma, 6 January 2024
This article investigates the hematology and inflammatory parameters changes among COVID-19 patients in Baghdad. 

The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sport and Change-Event on Athlete Performance
International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Bio-Medical Science, 11 January 2024
This article investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sports industry and on the psychological state of athletes and sports fans.

Serological Survey to Detect Antigens that Cross-React with COVID-19 Antibodies
Iraqi National Journal of Medicine, 14 January 2024
This article examines bacterial antigens for cross-reactivity with COVID-19 antibodies and investigates cross-reactivity between vaccinated and unvaccinated healthy individuals and various bacterial types.

Social Networking Usage and Mental Health Problems in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq during the COVID-19 Outbreak and Lockdown
Discover Psychology, 15 January 2024
This article examines the prevalence of mental health problems and the level of social media usage during the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. 


Jordan

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Comparison of IgG -Predominant Antibody Responses between Conventional Inactivated and mRNA SARS CoV-2 Vaccines Administrated in Jordan 
Journal of Medicinal and Chemical Sciences, 1 January 2024
This article finds that all four types of COVID-19 vaccines administered in Jordan demonstrated effectiveness.

Nurses’ and Midwives’ Awareness of the Recommended Breastfeeding Practices During the Pandemic of COVID-19 and the Associated Factors in Jordan
Sage Open Nursing, 3 January 2024
This article investigates nurses’ and midwives’ awareness of the recommended breastfeeding practices and associated factors in Jordan during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Health and Quality of Life of Dental Workers in Jordan during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study
Work, 16 January 2024
This article evaluates Jordanian dental workers’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and examines its predictors during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 


Kuwait

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The Kuwaiti Government’s Twitter Discourse during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Toward a Crisis Communication Model Using SCCT and CERC
Journal of Creative Communications, 6 January 2024
This article examines the Kuwaiti government’s COVID-19 discourse over Twitter using criteria from the Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication model (CERC) and Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT). 


Lebanon

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Hand Hygiene during the Spread of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study of Awareness and Practices among Academic Institutions in Lebanon 
Frontiers in Public Health, 4 January 2023
This article assesses hand hygiene awareness and practice levels among various university communities in Lebanon during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Acute Appendicitis Patients in a Tertiary Care Center in Lebanon
BMC Surgery, 8 January 2024
This article assesses the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rates of acute appendicitis cases, the adopted management strategies, and patient outcomes compared to presentations from previous years.

Hospitals’ Collaborations Strengthen Pandemic Preparedness: Lessons Learnt from COVID-19
Healthcare, 26 January 2024
This article examines the preparedness of private remote hospitals in Lebanon to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluates the impact of inter-hospital collaborations on the hospitals’ readiness.


Libya

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Psychological Antecedents toward COVID-19 Vaccination Explain the High Rates of Vaccine Rejection among the Libyan Population 2 Years after Starting Vaccination Campaigns
Journal of Public Health, 3 January 2024
This article explores the attitudes of the Libyan population toward COVID-19 vaccines and identifies the psychological factors that influence their decision-making process regarding vaccination.


Morocco 

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Coronavirus as a Trigger of Lymphocytic Hypophysitis in an Adolescent Girl: An Exceptional Case Report
International Journal of Surgery Case Reports, 2 January 2024
This article reports a case of a young patient who presented with post-COVID-19 lymphocytic hypophysitis and presents a review of the relevant literature.

Association of Renin-Angiotensin Pathway Gene Polymorphisms with COVID-19 Susceptibility and Severity in the Moroccan Cohort
Research Square, 12 January 2024
This working paper assesses the possible association between variants in the RAS-related genes and COVID-19 susceptibility and severity in a sample of the Moroccan population.

Abrupt Introduction of Distance Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: What Psychological Impact on Teachers
Journal of Public Health in Africa, 16 January 2024 
This article assesses the psychological impact of distance learning on Moroccan teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Oman

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Psychological Symptoms of COVID-19 Pandemic Among Community-Dwelling Older People in Oman and Associated Risk Factors 
Sage Open Nursing, 17 January 2024
This article investigates the psychological manifestations of the COVID-19 pandemic in the community-dwelling older population in Oman.

How was the SME’s Performance in Oman during COVID-19?
International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, 20 January 2024
This article examines the performance and the challenges faced by SMEs (small and medium enterprises) in Oman during the COVID-19 pandemic. 


Palestine

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Respectful Maternity Care in Israel during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study of Associations between Childbirth Care Practices and Women’s Perceptions of Care
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 10 January 2024
This article examines the association between childbirth care practices and perceptions of care as satisfactory and respectful among ‘Arab, Palestinian, Bedouin, Ethiopian and Ultra-Orthodox Jewish’ women who delivered during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.


Qatar

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Association Between Periodontitis and COVID-19
Current Oral Health Reports, 3 January 2024
This article summarizes the available evidence on the association between COVID-19 and periodontitis as well as the possible mechanisms responsible for this nexus.

Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Diabetes Mellitus Management in Qatari Primary Care Settings
Discover Health Systems, 5 January 2024
This article compares access and outcomes for diabetics registered with the PHCC (Primary Health Care Corporation) before and during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

Impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disease Pandemic on Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors in Persons with and without Disabilities in Qatar
Frontiers in Psychiatry, 7 January 2024
This article examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle behaviors (i.e. physical activity, sedentariness, eating & sleeping habits) in persons with and without disabilities in Qatar.

Motorcycle-Related Crashes before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Retrospective Observational Study from the Middle East 
Injury, 17 January 2024
This article evaluates the incidence, pattern, and outcome of patients injured by motorcycle-related crashes (MCC) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evaluation of Psychological Distress, Burnout and Structural Empowerment Status of Healthcare Workers during the Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based Study
BMC Psychiatry, 22 January 2024
This article assesses the psychological distress, burnout and structural empowerment status of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak, and evaluates the respective predictors.

Burnout Increased among University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Nature Scientific Reports, 31 January 2024
This article investigates burnout prevalence among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic and examines its distribution across countries, sexes, fields of study, and time periods. 


Saudi Arabia

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Prevalence of Menstrual Irregularities after Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination
Journal of Family and Community Medicine, 1 January 2024
This article examines the prevalence of menstrual irregularities after COVID-19 vaccination and the association of menstrual irregularities with vaccine type, doses, immediate adverse effects, and history of COVID-19 infection. 

Impact of Telepharmacy during COVID-19 on Patients’ Outcome during COVID-19: A Systematic Literature Review
Pharmacy Practice, 4 January 2024
This article summarizes the available evidence on the impact of telepharmacy practices on patient outcomes during COVID-19.

Determining the Nurses’ Perception Regarding the Effectiveness of COVID-19 Protocols Implemented in Eastern Province: Saudi Arabia
Frontiers in Public Health, 4 January 2024
This article assesses nurses’ perception, awareness, and compliance regarding the implementation of COVID-19 protocols and examines the factors influencing their perception.

COVID-19 on Quality of Life and Psychological Outcomes
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 8 January 2024
This article investigates and compares the short and long-term effects of COVID-19 on HRQoL (health-related quality of life) and psychological outcomes among the Saudi population. 

Impact of Online Learning on Physical Activity during COVID-19 Lockdown Period among Female Undergraduate Students in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
PeerJ Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, 15 January 2024
This article investigates the impact of online learning on physical activity during the COVID-19 lockdown period among female undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia.

Factors Influencing COVID-19 Vaccination for Children
Pediatric Health, Medicine and Therapeutics, 16 January 2024
This article examines parents’ willingness to vaccinate children against COVID-19 and its association with demographic factors and attitudes.

COVID-19 Infections, Recoveries, and Mortality: An ANOVA Model of Locations and Administrative Areas in Saudi Arabia
Frontiers in Public Health, 16 January 2024
This article examines the differentials in COVID-19 infections, recoveries, and deaths across the KSA  in connect with various demographic and developmental dimensions and interactions.

Digital Food Behaviours, Motivations, and Delivery Application Usage Among Saudis during COVID-19: A Mixed-Methods Study
Heliyon, 23 January 2024
This article examines food delivery application usage, motivations, perceptions, and food behaviors in the unique cultural context of Saudi Arabia at the intersection of two epidemics, COVID-19 and obesity. 

Assessing Physician Confidence in Counseling Patients on COVID-19 Disease and Vaccination: A Survey of Physicians’ Perspectives in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Cureus, 24 January 2024
This article evaluates how confident Saudi Arabian doctors are in their ability to advise patients on COVID-19 and vaccines against it.

Clinical Characters of COVID-19 Patient in a Saudi Intensive Care Unit: A Single-Center Experience
Journal of Health Science Research, 25 January 2024
This article assesses the clinical characteristics and outcomes for COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of King Saud Hospital Unaizah/Qassim, Saudi Arabia.

Journal Retracts More Than 50 Studies from Saudi Arabia for Faked Authorship
Retraction Watch, 26 January 2024
This article reports on the decision by the journal Cureus to retract 56 papers from Saudi Arabia nearly two years on suspicions that the works were of dubious authorship.

Association between COVID-19 Vaccines and Anxiety
Journal of Neurology and Experimental Neural Science, 26 January 2024
This article examines the knowledge gaps and provides valuable insights into various degrees of anxiety associated with different doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

Acceptance and Hesitancy of COVID-19 Vaccination among Saudi Pregnant Women
Frontiers in Global Women’s Health, 26 January 2024
This article assesses the acceptance and hesitancy of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women in Jeddah.

Assessment of Telemedicine Usage Among Saudis During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Cureus, 27 January 2024
This article examines the prevalence of telemedicine usage during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia and to determine the facilitators and barriers affecting telemedicine usage.


Sudan

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Humanitarian–Development Nexus: Strengthening Health System Preparedness, Response and Resilience Capacities to Address COVID-19 in Sudan—Case Study of Repositioning External Assistance Model and Focus 
Health Policy and Planning, 9 January 2024
This article examines the experience of utilizing external assistance to strengthen health system resilience in Sudan as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 


Tunisia

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Case Report: Acquired Hemophilia A Following COVID-19 Vaccine
F1000 Research, 12 January 2024
This working paper reports the first known case of Acquired Hemophilia A after receiving the SinoVac COVID-19 vaccine. 


UAE

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Intention to Quit and Its Correlates among Dieticians Residing in the United Arab Emirates during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey
PLOS One, 2 January 2024
This article reveals a high rate of intention to quit among UAE dietitians during the COVID-19 pandemic.  It also examines several correlates for such decisions, laying the groundwork for of evidence-based interventions.

Have the Extraordinary Circumstances of the COVID-19 Outbreak and the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict Impacted the Efficiency of Cryptocurrencies? 
Financial Innovation, 4 January 2024
This article examines whether the COVID-19 outbreak and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict have impacted the efficiency of cryptocurrencies by utilizing the Cramér-von Mises test.

Impact of Coronavirus Crisis (COVID-19) on the Sentiments of Travelers in UAE
Migration Letters, 7 January 2024
This article examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the traveling behavior of the age group 21-40 in the UAE. 

Determined to Be Resilient: Analysis of the Well-Being of People with Disabilities (People of Determination) in Abu Dhabi during the COVID-19 Pandemic
International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies, 18 January 2024
This article examines whether people with disabilities report different COVID-19-related challenges and adverse impacts on their psychological well-being compared to people without disabilities.