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| Comoros| Egypt| Iraq| Jordan| Lebanon| Oman| Palestine| Qatar| Saudi Arabia| Sudan| Tunisia| UAE]
MENA
Zakat, Non-state Welfare Provision and Redistribution in Times of Crisis: Evidence from the Covid-19 Pandemic
Studies in Comparative International Development, 26 October 2024
This study examines how states and citizens engage with zakat during crises through a case study of the Covid-19 pandemic in Pakistan, Egypt, and Morocco, drawing on novel and nationally representative survey data of 5484 respondents across the three countries.
The COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery: The mediating role of governance, a global perspective
Heliyon, 27 October 2024
This study investigates the mediating role of governance in the post-pandemic recovery process using structural equation modelling of cross-sectional data from 125 countries – including nearly all MENA countries – for the years 2020 and 2021
Prevalence Of Anxiety, Depression, Stress And Insomnia Among Healthcare Professionals During COVID-19 In Africa: Umbrella Review Of Existing Meta-Analyses
PeerJ, 30 October 2024
This umbrella review examines the prevalence of anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia among healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, including several MENA countries.
Comoros
Updated Surveillance Metrics and History of the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2023) in Sub-Saharan Africa: Longitudinal Trend Analysis
JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 23 October 2024
This study updates the initial COVID-19 pandemic surveillance in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Comoros, from 2020 by providing 2 additional years of data for the region. It assesses whether there was an expansion or contraction in the pandemic in SSA when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an end to the public health emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic on May 5, 2023.
Egypt
Post COVID-19 Mucormycosis In Critical Care Settings: A Prospective Cohort Study In A Tertiary Care Center In Egypt
Journal of Infection and Public Health, October 2024
This article reports the results of a prospective cohort study from May 2021 to April 2022 to determine the in-hospital outcomes of post-COVID-19 mucormycosis during the intensive care unit (ICU) stay.
Assessing Vaccinated Persons’ Intention To Take The COVID-19 Boosters Using A Combined Theoretical Framework: An Online Survey In Egypt
Nature Scientific Reports, 1 October 2024
This article presents results of an online survey that collected data from adults in Egypt between March and June 2022 using a questionnaire that assess demographic characteristics and constructs of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Health Belief Model (HBM).
Iraq
Immuno-inflammatory and organ dysfunction markers in severe COVID-19 patients
Cytokine, October 2024
This study argues organ damage biomarkers, blood disorder, cytokine storm indicators and sepsis markers can be utilized as diagnostic biomarkers to assess the severity of SARS-COV2.
The Potential Role Of Dyslipidemia In COVID-19 Severity Among Iraqi Patients
Human Antibodies, 18 October 2024
This study assesses the possible relationship between dyslipidemia and the severity of coronavirus disease 2019
Jordan
Comparing COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Acceptance In The United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, And Jordan: The Role Of Protection Motivation Theory, Conspiracy Beliefs, Social Media Use And Religiosity
Vaccine, 28 October 2024
This study aims to predict COVID-19 booster vaccination uptake using Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), coronavirus conspiracy beliefs, social media use, and sociodemographic factors, comparing the United Kingdom (UK), Jordan, Germany, and Austria.
Lebanon
Serious Adverse Events Following Immunization With COVID-19 Vaccines In Lebanon: A Retrospective Analysis Of The National Pharmacovigilance Database
BMC Public Health, 21 October 2024
This retrospective study examines the characteristics and prevalence of officially reported serious adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) with inactivated COVID-19 vaccines by System Organ Class (SOC), age, and sex.
Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic On Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing And Diagnosis In Lebanon: A Retrospective Chart Review
Heliyon, 30 October 2024
This article presents a retrospective analysis of a clinic’s database in Lebanon, including data on voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). It compares the number and types of services provided, and the number and rate of positive VCT diagnoses pre- (Mar 2019–Feb 2020) and post- (Mar 2020–Feb 2021) COVID-19 onset.
Oman
Association Between the Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors and Severe Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study
Cureus, 25 October 2024
This study investigates the association between PPI and disease severity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-positive patients and the risk of hospitalizations in Muscat, Oman.
In-Silico And In-Vitro Studies To Identify Potential Inhibitors Of SARS-Cov-2 Spike Protein From Omani Medicinal Plants
Heliyon, 31 October 2024
This study evaluates the potential of traditional Omani medicinal plants, focusing on the efficacy of natural ligands against COVID-19’s spike protein.
Palestine
Telemedicine In War Zones: Prospects, Barriers, And Meeting The Needs Of Special Populations
Frontiers in Medicine, 9 October 2024
This opinion article examines the incomplete utilization of telemedicine, especially in war zones such as some of the Palestinian territories.
An Ecological Perspective Of Psychological Distress Predictors Among Minoritized Populations Facing A Collective Crisis: The Case Of Arab-Palestinians During The COVID-19 Pandemic In Israel
Social Work in Mental Health, 23 October 2024
The study examines predictors of psychological distress among Arab-Palestinians in Israel during COVID-19 from an ecological perspective.
Key Stakeholders’ Perspectives Of Public Health Emergency Preparedness In Palestine: A Qualitative Exploratory Study
Public Health, 25 October 2024
This study examines emergency planning and response in Palestine, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Comprehending and recording these experiences facilitate on-going improvement of Palestine’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP).
Qatar
Satisfaction And Preference For Home Delivery Pharmaceutical Services Among Patients Attending Primary Care Settings In Qatar During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
BMJ Open, 17 October 2024
This study investigates the satisfaction and preferences of patients who used the new home delivery services provided by health centers (HCs).
Saudi Arabia
Evaluating Post-Pandemic Undergraduate Student Satisfaction with Online Learning in Saudi Arabia: The Significance of Self-Directed Learning
Applied Sciences, 2 October 2024
This study examines student satisfaction with online learning by proposing a model derived from the updated Information System Success Model. The updated model factors include system quality, service quality, and information quality, supplemented by student–student interaction quality and self-directed learning.
Understanding Long COVID: Prevalence, Characteristics, And Risk Factors In The Eastern Province Of Saudi Arabia
Frontiers in Medicine, 3 October 2024
This study assesses the prevalence of LC in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and explore factors contributing to its persistence.
The Aftermath Of COVID-19: Generalized Anxiety Disorder And Burnout Among Radiology Practitioners And Interns In Saudi Arabia
Frontiers in Psychiatry, 8 October 2024
This study examines the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorders and burnout among radiology practitioners and interns in various hospitals in Saudi Arabia after the end of the COVID-19 global public health emergency.
Long COVID-19 And Coexistence Of Fatigue And Depression: A Cross-Sectional Study From Saudi Arabia
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 14 October 2024
This study assesses the prevalence of post-COVID-19 fatigue and its predictors.
Sudan
Herbal Self-Medication Practice For COVID19 In Sudan; A Public Survey, 2021
Current Therapeutic Research, 5 October 2024
This study documents Sudanese patients experience in using herbs to treat the disease and decrease its severity.
Tunisia
Impact Of Pharmaceutical And Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions On COVID-19 In Tunisia
BMC Public Health, 14 October 2024
This study evaluates the impact of pharmaceutical interventions and non-pharmaceutical interventions on risks of COVID-19 transmission and deaths.
Bank Governance And Risk-Taking During Times Of Crises: Evidence From Tunisian Commercial Banks
The Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 30 October 2024
This article assesses the influence of various types of crises, including the Subprime, COVID-19, and political crises, on corporate governance attributes, regulations, and the association with bank risk in Tunisia.
Circulating Respiratory Viruses Including SARS-Cov-2 During 2021–2022 Season In Tunisia: Epidemiological And Dynamic Changes
Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 30 October 2024
This study assesses the prevalence of circulating respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, during the season 2021–2022 in Tunisia.
UAE
Social Work Practice In United Arab Emirates (UAE) Schools During And After The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 6 October 2024
This study assesses and compares the actual functions undertaken by social workers in schools in the United Arab Emirates during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nirmatrelvir Plus Ritonavir Reduces COVID-19 Hospitalization And Prevents Long COVID In Adult Outpatients
Nature Scientific Reports, 29 October 2024
This retrospective cohort study assesses the effect of nirmatrelvir–ritonavir in preventing severe disease progression and long COVID symptoms after acute COVID-19 in non-hospitalized adults. SALAMA medical records from Dubai’s COVID-19 healthcare centers between May 22, 2022, and April 30, 2023, were used to identify 7290 eligible patients, 9.6% of whom received nirmatrelvir–ritonavir.