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| Egypt| Iraq| Jordan| Kuwait|Lebanon| Morocco| Oman| Qatar| Saudi Arabia| Sudan| Tunisia| UAE|Yemen ]
MENA
Designing a Novel Fractional Order Mathematical Model for COVID-19 Incorporating Lockdown Measures
Nature Scientific Reports, 5 February 2024
This article by researchers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE examines the design of a novel fractional model for simulating the ongoing spread of COVID-19.
A Phased Strengthening of Laboratory Capacity in the Eastern Mediterranean Region during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, 5 February 2024
This article reports on the experience of EMR countries in acquiring or improving diagnostic and genomic capacities during the COVID-19 pandemic through collaboration, investment, and systematic expansion.
BMC Public Health, 6 February 2024
This article reports on the performance of molecular docking in silico of ASMase/ceramide system inhibitors by researchers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and other countries to assess the prospective efficacy of inhibitors as anti-SARS-CoV-2 medication.
Status of Routine Immunization Coverage in the World Health Organization African Region Three Years into the COVID-19 Pandemic
Vaccines, 7 February 2024
This article summarizes the trend and geographical distribution of COVID-19 immunization coverage in the WHO African Region (including Algeria and Comoros) and reports the number of zero-dose and under-immunized children in the Region from 2019 to 2022.
Complexity Reduction of Oxygen Saturation Variability Signals in COVID-19 Patients: Implications for Cardiorespiratory Control
Journal of Infection and Public Health, 9 February 2024
This article by authors from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan investigates how the loss of complexity in Oxygen Saturation Variability signals has the potential to detect the malfunctioning of cardiorespiratory control in COVID-19 patients.
Role of Research Laboratories in Pandemic and Epidemic Response in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Experiences from COVID‐19, Avian Influenza, and MERS‐CoV
Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, 11 February 2024
This article evaluates the experience of research laboratories in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) that contributed to preparedness and response to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), Middle-East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and COVID-19.
Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on University Students’ Mental Health: A Literature Review
Cureus, 11 February 2024
This article assesses the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on university students’ mental health based on the review of 32 studies – from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, and Iraq, among other countries.
Implications of Labour Market Disruptions on Subjective Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic in MENA Countries
Heliyon, 12 February 2024
This article examines the effects of COVID-19-induced labor market outcomes on workers’ subjective well-being in Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, and Egypt using the Combined COVID-19 MENA Monitor Household Survey.
COVID-19 Drug Repurposing Model Based on Pigeon-Inspired Optimizer and Rough Sets Theory
Neural Computing and Applications, 22 February 2024
This article by authors from Egypt and Kuwait presents a new technique that uses a pigeon-inspired optimizer algorithm to find and validate the optimal reduct of drug features to design an effective COVID-19 drug.
Techniques Using Nanoparticles to Fight COVID-19: IJS Global Health
International Journal of Surgery: Global Health, 23 February 2024
This article by authors from Syria and Algeria discusses how nanoparticles’ optical and magnetic characteristics may be utilized to make diagnostic test kits and vaccines for COVID-19.
Dietary Changes of Youth During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review
The Journal of Nutrition, 24 February 2024
This article conducts a systematic review of articles from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, and other countries to investigate dietary changes in youth during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SARS-CoV-2 Incidence Monitoring and Statistical Estimation of the Basic and Time-Varying Reproduction Number at the Early Onset of the Pandemic in 45 Sub-Saharan African Countries
BMC Public Health, 26 February 2024
This article estimates the transmission potential of COVID-19 across 45 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (including Djibouti, Mauritania, Sudan, and Somalia) based on (i) an exponential growth model (ii) maximum likelihood (ML) estimation and (iii) a time-varying basic reproduction number at the early onset of the pandemic.
Exploring the Reported Adverse Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines among Vaccinated Arab Populations: A Multi-National Survey Study
Nature Scientific Reports, 27 February 2024
This article examines the adverse effects of different types and doses of COVID-19 vaccines and identify associated factors among vaccinated participants in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, Libya, Iraq, and Algeria.
Not Only COVID-19: A Systematic Review of Anti-COVID-19 Measures and Their Effect on Health Care-Associated Infections
Journal of Hospital Infection, 27 February 2024
This article examines the effectiveness of anti-COVID-19 measures in preventing other healthcare-associated infections among hospitalized patients. It undertakes a systematic review of the literature, including studies from Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Egypt.
(Over)Crowded House: Exploring Asylum Seekers’ Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic While Living at Accommodation Centers in Sweden
BMC Public Health, 27 February 2024
This article examines asylum seekers’ experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic while living at accommodation centers in Sweden. Interviewed immigrants included those from Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Sudan.
Neuroimaging Findings in Children with COVID-19 Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Nature Scientific Reports, 27 February 2024
This article from Lebanon assesses the abnormal neuroimaging findings in pediatric COVID-19 patients, shedding light on this crucial aspect of the disease’s impact on children. It presents a systematic review of the literature (including studies from Saudi Arabia).
Egypt
4C Mortality Score and CT Severity Score among COVID-19 Patients: A Single Center Prospective Study
Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 12 February 2024
This article examines 4C mortality and CT severity scores as prognostication tools of mortality. And it examines their correlation among hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
COVID Vaccine in Egypt “What to Expect Before You Get?”
Benha Medical Journal, 17 February 2024
This article examines and compares the varying effects of different COVID-19 vaccines in Egypt.
Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19): A Comparative Study of Pattern of Liver Injury in Adult Patients in Different Waves of COVID-19 Infection
Arab Journal of Gastroenterology, 19 February 2024
This article assesses transaminase abnormalities across different waves of COVID-19 in Egypt and their correlation with disease severity or mortality.
Resilient Education Facilities with Special Focus on Classrooms to Be Compatible with the COVID-19 Crisis
HBRC Journal, 24 February 2024
This article features two COVID-19 case studies from Egypt and two from Europe to identify the criteria and requirements of resilient design for classrooms to avoid closures during crises.
Iraq
Ocular Findings and Blurring of Vision Associated with COVID-19 Virus during Pandemics in Iraq
The Open Ophthalmology Journal, 2 February 2024
This article reviews and critically appraises ophthalmologic manifestations of COVID-19 in the form of the rate and severity of visual impairment following ocular and systemic COVID-19 infections.
Evaluation of Olfactory Dysfunction Among COVID-19 Patients in Baghdad, Iraq
Cureus, 6 February 2024
This article examines olfactory dysfunction (anosmia or hyposmia) in Iraqi COVID-19 patients and evaluates their response to smell exercise at the Baghdad Medical City Complex in Iraq.
Nosophobia of Corona, Oropharyngeal Symptoms in COVID Era
SAS Journal of Medicine, 10 February 2024
This article examines the oropharyngeal symptoms among patients in Iraq with heightened COVID-19 nosophobia (irrational fear of sickness).
COVID-19 and Urinary Problems
Journal of Urology and Renal Diseases, 12 February 2024
This article documents a decrease in UTI diagnoses during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic without statistically significant increases in the short-term measures of UTI severity.
Estimation the Biochemical Parameters Changes in Blood of Corona Virus Patients in Iraq in Order to Support the Timely Decision Needs
International Journal of Applied Science and Radiation Research, 26 February 2024
This article evaluates biochemical parameter changes in the blood of COVID-19 patients including BUN, Creatine, Sugar, WBC, Cholesterol, HDL, among others
The Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Acute Appendicitis Presentation
International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Science, 27 February 2024
This article examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the time between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis and the effect of this delay on disease progression.
Intensification of Integrated Immunization Services to Recover Routine Vaccination Coverage and Bring COVID-19 Vaccine to the Population of Iraq in 2022
Vaccine, 28 February 2024
This article examines the government-implemented “intensification of integrated immunization services (3IS)” approach and its impact on COVID-19 vaccination coverage in Iraq.
Jordan
The Status of the Environmental Management System, Its Improvement Aspects Under COVID-19 Crisis, and Its Impact on Sustainable Environmental Development in Jordan (An Applied Study on Mining Industries Sector)
International Journal of Professional Business Review, 14 February 2024
This article examines the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on achieving sustainable environmental development in Jordan by exploring the environmental management system, energy & water use, and emissions in Jordanian mining companies.
Banking Sector Efforts to Containment/Damage Limitation of COVID-19 Crisis as a Predictive Factor in the Ability to Recovery of SMEs in Jordanian
International Journal of Professional Business Review, 14 February 2024
This article evaluates the efforts by the banking sector in Jordan to contain the damages caused by COVID-19 in all its aspects (situation assessment and analysis, and crisis intervention), all from bank employees’ perspective.
Kuwait
Anxiety Disorders among Children and Adolescents during COVID-19 Lockdowns and School Closures: A Cross-Sectional Study in Kuwait
Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11 February 2024
This article estimates the probable prevalence of specific anxiety disorders in children during the COVID-19 lockdown and to quantify their relationships with relevant demographic risk factors.
Association Between Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity and Risk of Severe COVID-19 Symptoms: Insights from Salivary and Serum Cytokines
Frontiers in Public Health, 20 February 2024
This article examines the links between the severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea risk, cytokine levels and the severity of symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection.
A Case Study for Kuwait Mortality During the Consequent Waves of COVID-19
Heliyon, 28 February 2024
This article assesses the distribution of COVID-19-related mortality among the different age groups in Kuwait.
Lebanon
Sustaining the Momentum for Adult Vaccination Post-COVID-19 to Leverage the Global Uptake of Life-Course Immunisation: A Scoping Review
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 12 February 2024
This article scopes the literature (including one study from Lebanon) to quantify the magnitude of changes to the adult vaccination landscape due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Machine Learning for COVID-19 Patient Management: Predictive Analytics and Decision Support
medRxiv, 28 February 2024
This working paper is based on a cluster analysis on COVID-19 patients in Lebanon to identify distinct clinical patterns among them, aiming to aid prognosis and guide tailored treatments.
Morocco
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Prenatal Care Utilization Among Italian and Immigrant Pregnant Women: A Multicenter Survey
International Journal of Public Health, 18 February 2024
This article compares the utilization of prenatal services between immigrant -including Moroccan- and Italian women during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Modeling the Impact of Distancing Measures on Infectious Disease Spread: A Case Study of COVID-19 in the Moroccan Population
Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering, 27 February 2024
This article examines the impact of various distancing measures on the spread of infectious diseases, focusing on the spread of COVID-19 in the Moroccan population as a case study.
Effectiveness of Sinopharm’s BBIBP-CorV Booster Vaccination against COVID-19-Related Severe and Critical Cases and Deaths in Morocco during the Omicron Wave
Vaccines, 27 February 2024
This article investigates the effectiveness of the 1st booster dose against severe and critical COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths occurring due to the Omicron wave in Morocco.
Oman
Identification of New Pharmacophore against SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein by Multi-Fold Computational and Biochemical Techniques
Nature Scientific Reports, 13 February 2024
This Oman Research Council-funded study examines novel potential inhibitors against SARS CoV-2 spike protein from naturally derived compounds (AKBA).
Drug Use Disorder and Coping Mechanisms Due to COVID-19 Pandemic Measures: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Qeios, 28 February 2024
This working paper examines the impact of COVID-19 measures on people with substance use disorder in Oman.
Qatar
Impact of COVID‑19 Pandemic Restrictions and Subsequent Relaxation on the Prevalence of Respiratory Virus Hospitalizations in Children
BMC Pediatrics, 2 February 2024
This article examines the incidence rate and severity of viral acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) hospitalizations and evaluates changes in causative respiratory pathogens before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic among young children in Qatar.
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response Among Spectators of Amir Cup 2020 With a History of Recovery From COVID-19 in Qatar: A Historic Cohort Study
Cureus, 18 February 2024
This article examines the antibody response after COVID-19 infection and assesses its effectiveness against reinfection.
Effects of COVID-19 on Autism Spectrum Disorder in Qatar
Frontiers in Psychiatry, 19 February 2024
This article examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autistic children and their families in Qatar.
Protection of Natural Infection Against Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 Variant
medRxiv, 23 February 2024
This working paper investigates the effectiveness of natural infection in preventing reinfection with the JN.1 variant of COVID-19 during a large JN.1 wave in Qatar, using a test-negative, case-control study design.
Saudi Arabia
Menstrual Disorders Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Review Using a Systematic Search
Frontiers in Drug Safety and Regulation, 31 January 2024
This article scopes 61 studies (13 of which are from Saudi Arabia) to provide an overview of available literature on the risk of menstrual disorders after COVID-19 vaccination.
Response to Prone Positioning in COVID-19 Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Retrospective Observational Study
The Egyptian Journal of Bronchology, 1 February 2024
This article investigates the effect of prone positioning on oxygenation in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and ARDS and examines the factors associated with better/worse outcomes.
Fear and Anxiety among Dental Students and Dentistry as a Career Choice Following the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 1 February 2024
This article assesses the mental health condition, specifically fear and anxiety, of a group of dental students in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic and examines students’ perceptions about dentistry as a career choice following the pandemic.
Assessment of Lifestyle Changes Related to Quarantine among Saudi Population during the Early COVID-19 Pandemic: Pre- and Post-Analysis
Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association, 1 February 2024
This article examines the influence of COVID-19-related measures on the lifestyle behaviors of adults living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
COVID-19 on Quality of Life and Psychological Outcomes
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 1 February 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.
Statin Use and Clinical Outcomes in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
Saudi Medical Journal, 3 February 2024
This article investigates the link between statin use and COVID-19 severity among patients in Saudi Arabia.
Mobilizing a Kingdom During a Pandemic: The Health Marketing Campaigns Applied by the Saudi Ministry of Health to Promote (COVID-19) Vaccine Confidence and Uptake
Cureus, 6 February 2024
This article examines the content of the campaigns held by the Saudi Ministry of Health to promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake.
How Saudi Arabia Experience Corona: A Monthly Analysis Data
International Journal of Innovative Research in Medical Science, 12 February 2024
This article examines the Saudi experience of the COVID-19 pandemic indicating that the number of confirmed cases and fatalities between May 2020 to November 2021 decreased significantly while the rate of recovery had remained consistently strong.
Satisfaction of Adult and Pediatric Neurologists and Neurosurgeons Using Telehealth during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Frontiers in Digital Health, 13 February 2024
This article assesses the satisfaction of adult and pediatric neurologists and neurosurgeons using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia.
Dexamethasone Versus Methylprednisolone for Multiple Organ Dysfunction in COVID-19 Critically Ill Patients: A Multicenter Propensity Score Matching Study
BMC Infectious Diseases, 13 February 2024
This article assesses the short-term clinical and safety outcomes of dexamethasone compared to methylprednisolone in critically ill COVID-19 patients.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Diabetes Self-Management in Saudi Arabia
Healthcare, 22 February 2024
This article assesses the self-management behaviors of Saudi patients with diabetes during and after the COVID-19 pandemic period using the Arabic version of the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ).
The Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Saudi Hospital
Cureus, 24 February 2024
This article evaluates the prevalence of S. aureus, including MRSA infections, and their antimicrobial susceptibilities before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary hospital in Makkah City, KSA.
An Unprecedented Experience: Personal and Socio-Political Impacts of the COVID-19 Lockdown in Saudi Arabia
Cureus, 25 February 2024
This article examines the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on individuals in Saudi Arabia, focusing on personal and socio-political effects.
COVID-19 Linked Social Stigma Among Arab Survivors
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 26 February 2024
This article examines the magnitude and variability of disease-linked stigma among COVID-19 survivors and their experiences of social stigma, coping strategies, contextual challenges, and preferences for support.
Bridging the Gaps: The Transformative Effect of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Preventive Measures Among Medical and Health Sciences College Students in Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Cureus, 28 February 2024
This article examines the impact of COVID-19 on medical and health students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward preventive measures and their commitment to precautionary measures before, during, and after the pandemic.
Sudan
Perceptions of the COVID-19 Vaccination Within a Convenience Sample of Sudanese Americans
Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 27 February 2024
This article examines COVID-19 vaccination practices, motivators, and drivers for hesitancy among Sudanese Americans.
Tunisia
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Breast Cancer Pathological Stage at Diagnosis in Tunisian Patients
Breast Disease, 15 February 2024
This article assesses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pathological stage of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients compared to before the pandemic.
Predictive Factors of Mortality in Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department for SARS-Cov2 Pneumonia
La Tunisie Médicale, 18 February 2024
This article assesses the predictive factors of mortality at 30 days among patients admitted to the emergency department for COVID-19 pneumonia.
Food Insecurity in Tunisia During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
Economic Research Forum, 26 February 2024
This article examines the impact of the COVID-19-induced shock on household food insecurity in Tunisia and assesses the policy responses using micro-data collected from the Combined COVID-19 MENA Monitor Household Survey conducted by the ERF.
UAE
Changes in Oral Home Care and Smoking Habits during COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Clinical and Experimental Dental Research, 6 February 2024
This article examines health behavioral changes in terms of oral home care habits, smoking, and perception of dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Influence of COVID-19 Pandemic on Pregnancy and Fertility Preferences Among the Residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Journal of Global Health, 9 February 2024
This article investigates the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnancy and fertility decisions among the residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Utilization of Healthcare Services and Spending Patterns in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study
Healthcare, 14 February 2024
This article estimates the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on health services utilization and spending patterns in Dubai, the UAE.
Occupational Exposure to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 in Wastewater and Its Implications in the Gulf Region
Advances in Biomedical and Health Sciences, 21 February 2024
This article examines the implications of the SARS-CoV-2 genome in wastewater to safeguard occupational and public health in the Gulf region with a focus on the UAE.
Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics Associated with COVID-19 Severity Among Hospitalized Patients in the United Arab Emirates: A Retrospective Multicentre Study
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 26 February 2024
This article investigates the clinical and epidemiological factors associated with severe COVID-19 cases in hospitalized patients across two emirates within the United Arab Emirates.
Yemen
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Secondary School Students Towards COVID-19 in Sana’a City, Yemen: A Cross-Sectional Study
Journal of Public Health Research, 9 February 2024
This article examines the knowledge, attitudes, and practices among school students in Sana’a towards COVID-19.
Strengthening Laboratories in Response to Outbreaks in Humanitarian Emergencies and Conflict Settings: Results, Challenges, and Lessons from Expanding PCR Diagnostic Capacities for COVID-19 Testing in Yemen
PLOS One, 23 February 2024
This article examines the outcome of the implementation of a molecular-based diagnostics platform in Yemen during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the key milestones to increase access to testing for its populations residing in a geographically vast and politically divided country.
COVID-19 Surveillance in Fragile Health Systems, Armed Conflict, and Humanitarian Crisis, the Case of Yemen
International Journal of Healthcare Management, 27 February 2024
This article investigates the challenges hindering COVID-19 surveillance in Yemen and opportunities for addressing them, endeavoring to increase surveillance effectiveness in conflict and resource-limited settings like Yemen’s.