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 |Djibouti| Egypt| Iraq| Jordan| Kuwait| Lebanon|Mauritania| Morocco| Palestine| Qatar| Saudi Arabia| Somalia| Sudan| Syria| Tunisia| UAE]
MENA
Diverging Paths: The Impacts of COVID-19 on Migration in the Middle East and North Africa
Migration Policy Institute, 1 March 2024
This report examines the key mobility trends in the region throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and how government responses shaped them.
Effects of Face Mask Mandates on COVID-19 Transmission in 51 Countries: Retrospective Event Study
JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 8 March 2024
This article examines the impact of mask mandates and recommendations on self-reported mask use and SARS-CoV-2 reproduction numbers in Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen, and other countries.
Indirect Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Routine Childhood Vaccination in Low-Income Countries: A Systematic Review to Set the Scope for Future Pandemics
Microorganisms, 13 March 2024
This article evaluates how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted routine childhood vaccinations in low-income countries including Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
Government Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic of the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: Good Practices and Lessons for Future Preparedness
Global Health Research and Policy, 15 March 2024
This article assesses government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in GCC countries using four indices: the Government Response Index, the Stringency Index, the Vaccine Index, and the Initial Response Index.
A Deep Learning-Based Approach for Predicting COVID-19 Diagnosis
Heliyon, 26 March 2024
This article forecasts the total count of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia through several methodologies, including mathematical modeling encompassing COVID-19 cases from Tunisia and the UK.
Development of Prediction Models of COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Lebanese and Syrians in a District of Beirut, Lebanon: A Population-Based Study
medRxiv, 28 March 2024
This working paper examines the difference in vaccine uptake and proposes prediction models among the Syrian and Lebanese populations, suggesting differential predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake for each population.
Algeria
Therapeutic Modulation of Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity Level in Algerian Patients with COVID-19 Infection Associated with Diabetes, Hypertension
Biomedical Journal of Scientific and Technical Research, 25 March 2024
This article investigates the impact of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity on total lactate dehydrogenase activity among COVID-19 patients.
Djibouti
Breaking Borders: Integrating COVID-19 and Measles Vaccination Efforts in Africa
Amref, 16 March 2024
This article reports on the integration of efforts to vaccinate against COVID-19 and Measles in several African countries. And it elaborates the experience of Djibouti in meeting migrants’ vaccination needs.
Egypt
Exposure to Urban Green Spaces and Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Two Low and Lower-Middle-Income Countries
Frontiers in Public Health, 29 February 2024
This article investigates changes in green-space access and associations with mental health recovery in Bangladesh and Egypt during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Serum ACE2 and S19P Gene Polymorphism in Egyptian Patients with COVID-19 Infection: Correlation with Disease Severity
Nature Scientific Reports, 10 March 2024
This article investigates the expression levels of ACE2 in Egyptian patients with SARS-Cov-2 infection and correlates them with the laboratory, clinical findings, and infection severity.
Online Customers’ Attitudes and Intentions Towards E-Payment Usage in Egypt During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Serial Mediation Roles of Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Trust, and Attitude
Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, 12 March 2024
This article investigates the factors influencing online customers’ attitudes and intentions toward adopting e-payment for online transactions in Egypt during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lifestyle and Eating Habits Changes Among Adults During COVID-19 Era in Egypt: A Population-Based Study
BMC Nutrition, 19 March 2024
This article examines changes in eating behaviors through the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener in a sample of Egyptians throughout the COVID-19 era.
Egyptian Urinary Stones in the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Multi-Center Study
African Journal of Urology, 25 March 2024
This article examines urolithiasis before and after the COVID-19 pandemic to assess the impact of the pandemic on patient preferences and decision-making for symptomatic urolithiasis.
Antimicrobial Resistance Burden Pre and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic with Mapping the Multidrug Resistance in Egypt: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study
Nature Scientific Reports, 26 March 2024
This article evaluates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antimicrobial resistance in Egypt and map the distribution of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensive drug-resistant (XDR) across Egypt.
A Closer Look: Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms among Intern Nurses Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
BMC Nursing, 28 March 2024
This article investigates the influence of fear of COVID-19 on obsessive-compulsive symptoms among intern nurses in Egypt.
Iraq
Availability and Prices of Medications Used During COVID-19 Pandemic
Pharmacy Practice, 6 March 2024
This article assesses the availability and prices of drugs used frequently during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq.
Examining the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Iraqi Refugees in Canada
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20 March 2024
This article reports the responses of 128 Iraqi refugees in the city of London, Ontario, to a survey on the economic, social, and health-related impacts that they have faced for almost two years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Serum Level of Vitamin K as Predicts Mortality in Iraqi COVID-19 Patients
Iraq Medical Journal, 27 March 2024
This article evaluates the discriminative ability of vitamin K markers for predicting and monitoring the severity and mortality of COVID-19 cases among patients in Iraq.
Jordan
A Comprehensive Analysis of Public Satisfaction: Community Pharmacists’ Pandemic Preparedness in Jordan
Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 5 March 2024
This article assesses public satisfaction with community pharmacists’ readiness for the COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan.
Kuwait
Economic Burden of the COVID-19 Pandemic in State of Kuwait
ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research, 4 March 2024
This article estimates the provider’s cost, patients’ cost (home and institutional quarantine cost), and the total economic burden of COVID-19 for infected patients in Kuwait.
Lebanon
COVID-19, Economic Crisis, and Food Insecurity Worsen the Double Burden of Malnutrition in Lebanon
Frontiers in Public Health, 4 March 2024
This article is an opinion piece discussing the compounding woes of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic and political crises in Lebanon and their impact on the prevalence of malnutrition, especially among Palestinian and Syrian refugees.
Understanding Government Social Media Communication Strategies and Public Engagement During the COVID-19 Crisis in Lebanon
Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 8 March 2024
This article investigates the Facebook communication strategies employed by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) during the COVID-19 crisis in Lebanon and examines public engagement with these efforts.
COVID‐19 Herd Immunity in Lebanon: Challenges and Prospects
Public Health Challenges, 20 March 2024
This article examines Lebanon’s challenges during the COVID-19 outbreak, and how domestic issues exacerbated the pandemic and impacted herd immunity in the country.
Choosing and Accessing COVID-19 Treatment Options: A Qualitative Study with Patients, Caregivers, and Health Care Providers in Lebanon
Health Research Policy and Systems, 27 March 2024
This article investigates the experiences of COVID-19 patients, their families, and healthcare providers in Lebanon regarding treatment decisions and accessibility to medicines.
Exploring Stressors Impacting the Mental Health of Refugee Mothers in Lebanon During COVID-19 pandemic: A Qualitative Study
International Social Work, 28 March 2024
This article examines stressors experienced by Syrian mothers in Lebanon during the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasizes the necessity of addressing their particular needs.
Mauritania
Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Uptake Among African Immigrants: Lessons from a Community-Based Outreach Program
Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 5 March 2024
This article reflects on a program aiming to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake among African immigrants in Philadelphia including among migrants from Mauritania.
Genomic Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Variants from Clinical Isolates During the COVID-19 Epidemic in Mauritania
Genes, 14 March 2024
This article examines the genomic pattern of SARS-CoV-2 variants from clinical isolates during the COVID-19 outbreak in Mauritania, from September to November 2021.
Morocco
Patients with Schizophrenia in Morocco During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Observational Study
East Asian Archives of Psychiatry, 1 March 2024
This article examines the clinical course of patients with schizophrenia at a public hospital in Morocco during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nursing Institutions’ Professors’ Perception and Distant Education Experience During COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown
Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 1 March 2024
This article assesses professors’ previous experience with information and communication technologies (ICTs) and their perception of distant education at nursing institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
Stochastic Analysis of Two‐Strain Epidemic Model with Non‐Monotone Incidence Rates: Application to COVID‐19 Pandemic
Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences, 14 March 2024
This article from Morocco presents a mathematical analysis of a COVID-19 two-strain epidemic model.
Palestine
Global Mapping and Visualization Analysis of One Health Knowledge in the COVID-19 Context
Environmental Health Insights, 5 March 2024
This article investigates global knowledge about “One Health” by examining its state, significant contributions, and future directions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quality of Life Among Residents of Gaza, Palestine: The Predictive Role of Mental Distress, Fear of COVID-19, and Social Support
BMC Psychology, 15 March 2024
This article examines the consequences of mental distress, fear of COVID-19, and social support for quality of life in the Gaza Strip.
Palestine and Israel War Conflict During COVID-19
Jurnal Multidisiplin Madani, 30 March 2024
This article examines how international law has affected the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Qatar
The Effects of the First Wave of COVID-19 Restrictions on Physical Activity: A Longitudinal Study from “Step Into Health” Program in Qatar
Frontiers in Public Health, 5 March 2024
This article presents a comprehensive longitudinal analysis of how COVID-19 lockdown policies in Qatar influenced physical activity patterns during the first wave of the pandemic.
Online Learning and Teaching During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Higher Education in Qatar
Sustainability, 8 March 2024
This article examines the experiences of students and educators amidst the emergency shift to online education within the higher education system during the COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar.
Early Predictors of Intensive Care Unit Admission Among COVID-19 Patients in Qatar
Frontiers in Public Health, 19 March 2024
This article investigates the early predictors of intensive care unit (ICU) admission among patients with COVID-19 in Qatar.
The Perceived Challenges to Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Study of K-12 Parental Perspectives (Arab and Other Parents) in Qatar
Heliyon, 25 March 2024
This article examines self-reported challenges that Arab and other parents encountered during the sudden shift to online teaching and learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar.
Saudi Arabia
Prevalence of Menstrual Irregularities After Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
Journal of Family and Community Medicine, 1 March 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, history of COVID-19 infection, and its severity.
Outdoor Assessment of Airborne Microorganisms During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Madinah City, KSA
Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 2 March 2024
This article investigates airborne microbial levels in different outdoor locations in Al-Madinah City in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic by comparing lockdown against non-lockdown conditions.
Perceived Stress Among Nurses at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Saudi Arabia During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Cureus, 3 March 2024
This article assesses the level of perceived stress among nurses at a tertiary care teaching hospital (King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah) in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Impact of COVID-19 Virus and Vaccination on the Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Women in Makkah Region
Journal of Health Informatics in Developing Countries, 4 March 2024
This article examines the impact of the COVID-19 virus and vaccination on pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and fetal health during lactation among women in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia.
Physical Activity and Psychological Wellbeing Among Healthcare Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Cureus, 5 March 2024
This article assesses the association between psychological well-being and physical activity among healthcare students at one public university in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Dental Health Professionals Toward Dental Impression Disinfection Protocol During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia– A Cross-Sectional Study
BMC Medical Education, 6 March 2024
This article assesses dental health professionals’ (DHPs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward dental impression disinfection protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia.
Challenges, Practices, and Impact of COVID-19 Among Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Cities and Remote Areas in Saudi Arabia
Research in Developmental Disabilities, 13 March 2024
This article investigates challenges and practices related to COVID-19 and their impact on Saudi mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, both in cities and remote areas during the pandemic.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Coronavirus Disease- 2019 Among Pregnant Women in Saudi Arabia; a Retrospective Study
International Journal of Women’s Health, 14 March 2024
This article examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnant women in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia.
Evaluating COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Among Parents in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review Examining Attitudes, Hesitancy, and Intentions
Frontiers in Public Health, 21 March 2024
This article assesses parental willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, determines the key factors influencing such intention and attitudes, and underlines the significant concerns and misconceptions regarding the vaccine among parents.
Parents’ Perceptions of the Impact of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the Eating Behaviors and Routines of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Frontiers in Psychiatry, 27 March 2024
This article investigates the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the eating behavior and routines of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Saudi Arabia through the perceptions of their parents.
Psychosocial Impacts of Coughing in Public Places During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia
Medical Journal of Indonesia, 27 March 2024
This article investigates the impact of coughing in public places on adults’ mental and social well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in the western region of Saudi Arabia.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Radiology Department Employees and Trainees in Al-Qassim, 2021
Cureus, 30 March 2024
This article assesses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on radiology department employees and trainees in Al-Qassim in Saudi Arabia.
Somalia
[Back to Top]
Methods Employed in a 2021 Population-Based Serosurvey in Somalia
Gates Open Research, 1 March 2024
This working paper examines the design and methods of a serosurvey conducted in Somalia in 2021 to estimate the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens.
Healthcare Workers’ Compliance with COVID-19 Preventive and Control Measures at De Martino Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia
medRxiv, 30 March 2024
This working paper examines compliance with COVID-19 infection prevention and control practices among healthcare workers in De Martino Public Hospital, Somalia.
Sudan
Population Mortality Before and During the COVID-19 Epidemic in Two Sudanese Settings: A Key Informant Study
BMC Public Health, 5 March 2024
This article estimates excess mortality during the COVID-19 epidemic in two Sudanese communities.
COVID-19, the AstraZeneca Vaccine & Bell’s Palsy
International Medical Case Reports Journal, 12 March 2024
This article documents two cases of Bell’s palsy, one after contracting COVID-19 infection and the other after administration of the AstraZeneca Vaccine.
COVID-19 Surveillance Report for Sudan, 2020 to 2021
Heliyon, 20 March 2024
This article uses surveillance data from 2020 to 2021 to examines the epidemiologic patterns of COVID-19 infections in Sudan, and it provides insight for better preparedness and response.
The Role of Vitamin D in COVID-19 Survival and Prevention: A Meta-analysis
Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences, 29 March 2024
This article assesses the role of vitamin D supplementation in COVID-19 prevention and survival.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding COVID-19 Skin Manifestations among Doctors Working at Khartoum Dermatology and Venereology Teaching Hospital, 2021
Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences, 29 March 2024
This article evaluates the level of knowledge and practice regarding skin manifestations of COVID-19 among doctors working at Khartoum Dermatology and Venereology Teaching Hospital.
Syria
Individual and Social Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Uptake in Northwest Syria
BMC Health Services Research, 1 March 2024
This article investigates the effectiveness of the humanitarian actors’ plans to address the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and boost vaccine uptake in Northwest Syria.
Clinical Presentation and Management of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated with COVID-19: A Retrospective Observational Descriptive Study in a Pediatric Hospital in Syria
BMC Infectious Diseases, 15 March 2024
This article examines the clinical presentation, laboratory parameters, outcomes, and management of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome cases associated with COVID-19 infections in a pediatric hospital in Syria.
AB024. “COVID-19 is just another way to die…”: A Qualitative Longitudinal Study of Frontline COVID-19 Response Governance Across Syria
Journal of Public Health and Emergency, 31 March 2024
This article examines perspectives of COVID-19 response governance among frontline healthcare providers over time and across all areas of Syria.
Tunisia
The Resilience of Tunisian Industrial Exports during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from an ARDL Approach
Regional Science Policy & Practice, 7 March 2024
This article examines the extent to which Tunisian industrial exports have been resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Comparison of Time to Negative Conversion of SARS-CoV-2 Between Young and Elderly Among Asymptomatic and Mild COVID-19 Patients: A Cohort Study from a National Containment Center
Frontiers in Medicine, 18 March 2024
This article examines the relationship between age and time to negative conversion of SARS-CoV-2 in patients with asymptomatic and mild forms of COVID-19 in Tunisia.
UAE
Gastrointestinal Bleeding in COVID-19 Infected Patients, and Management Outcomes
International Journal of General Medicine, 13 March 2024
This article assesses the risk and management outcomes of gastrointestinal bleeding in COVID-19-infected patients.