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 | Egypt| Iraq| Jordan| Libya| Morocco| Oman|
Palestine| Qatar| Saudi Arabia|Tunisia]
MENA
Behaviorally Informed Messages Increase COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions
World Bank Policy Research Working Paper, November 2024
In this study, a global research program of 28 online experiments was conducted by recruiting respondents (123,270 individuals) through social media between January 2021 and June 2022 across 23 mostly low- and middle-income countries and territories, including many from the MENA region.
COVID-19 Infection In Children With Blood Cancer: A Systematic Review
Annals of Hematology, 5 November 2024
This study estimates the incidence of COVID-19 in children with blood cancer and analyzes the demographic parameters, clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in children with blood cancer with COVID-19 illness. It covers a large number of countries, including many in the MENA region.
A Systematic Review of the Attitudes, Beliefs, and Acceptance of the COVID-19 Vaccine in the Western and Eastern Hemispheres
Cureus, 6 November 204
This study seeks to systematically assess the beliefs, attitudes, and acceptance towards COVID-19 vaccines, including factors contributing to vaccination hesitancy in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, including data from Oman, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Bahrain
Factors Associated With Adherence To Preventive Measures Against COVID-19, Among Adult Bahraini Residents
Nature Scientific Reports, 3 November 2024
This study discusses factors that determine adherence to these measures, with the aim of enhancing compliance in future pandemics.
Egypt
A Study Of Some Psychological Variables As Predictors Of COVID-19 Vaccination Anxiety Among Faculty Members Of Ain Shams University
Nature Scientific Reports, 4 November 2024
The study investigates the relative contribution of each of psychasthenia, psychological flexibility, suggestibility, and conspiracy beliefs in predicting the anxiety of vaccination with the anti COVID-19 vaccine among faculty members at Ain Shams University, in Cairo, Egypt.
Comparative Study Of Neutralizing Antibodies Titers In Response To Different Types Of COVID-19 Vaccines Among A Group Of Egyptian Healthcare Workers
Virology Journal, 5 November 2024
This study assesses the impact of three common COVID-19 vaccine types; two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines: (Pfizer/BioNTech’s BNT162b2 and Moderna’s mRNA-1273), one adenoviral vector vaccine: Oxford/AstraZeneca’s ChAdOx1, and one inactivated vaccine (Sinovac Biotech/China’s Sinovac) on the level of neutralizing antibodies.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Therapy Clinical Practice in Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Study
Cureus, 12 November 2024
This study examines the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical therapy clinical practice in Egypt five months after the pandemic declaration. The study investigated how Egyptian physical therapists interacted during the pandemic and the effect of the pandemic on precautionary measures.
Clinical Outcome Of Severe And Critical Covid Patient Receiving NIV Or Invasive Ventilation
The Egyptian Journal of Bronchology, 14 November 2024
This study examines the clinical outcomes in hypoxemic COVID-19 patients receiving non-invasive vs. invasive ventilation.
Factors Influencing Job Performance Of Nurses In COVID-19 Care: A Study In Egypt
BMC Nursing, 19 November 2024
This study assesses job performance and associated nurses, patients, and environmental-related factors among nurses providing care to COVID-19 patients in Egypt.
Evaluation Of The Efficacy Of Triazavirin Versus Oseltamivir In Management Of COVID-19
Future Science OA, 14 November 2024
This study compares the safety and efficacy of triazavirin (TZV) 250 mg capsules versus oseltamivir 75 mg capsules in the treatment of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19.
Frequency And Determinants Of Acceptance Of COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Among Health Care Providers: A Cross-Sectional Study
The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine, 20 November 2024
This study examines the frequency and determinants of the acceptance of health care providers to receive the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Liver Injury in Non-ICU Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: A Retrospective Single Center Study
QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, 20 November 2024
This study, drawing on data from Egypt, evaluates the incidence of concurrent elevation of AST, ALT, and Bilirubin, examine their dynamic changes throughout the course of COVID-19 patients.
Clinical, Biochemical, And Genetic Study Of TACE/TNF-Α/ACE Signaling Pathway In Pediatric COVID-19 Infection
Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics, 27 November 2024
This study examines the presenting characteristics of COVID-19 infection among pediatric patients, and investigate the possible role of the TNF-α signaling pathway.
Iraq
The IFIH1 Gene Variants Rs1990760 And Rs2111485 Are Associated With COVID-19 Susceptibility And Affect IFIH1 Protein Levels In Iraqis
The Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics, 9 November 2024
This study finds that the IFIH1 protein up-regulated levels in the serum of patients with mild/moderate COVID-19.
The Impact Of Coronavirus Pandemic Shutdowns On Immunization Completion In Hadeetha, Anbar, Iraq: A Case-Study Of Vaccine Completion In A Recovering Healthcare System
Vaccine, 14 November 2024
This study estimates the number of children in Hadeetha, Iraq from 12 to 24 months of age who continued to miss routine immunization due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.
Exploring The Use Of COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Tests Among Displaced Populations In Iraq: Findings From A Pilot Project In Four IDP Camps
Conflict & Health, 24 November 2024
This study seeks to (i) evaluate the performance metrics of the Sure Status COVID-19 Antigen Card Test in this population; (ii) compare Ag RDT results across high- and low-probability cases, vaccination status, and symptom severity; and (iii) report participant perspectives on Ag RDT use for COVID-19 and other diseases.
Oral Surgery During COVID-19 In Iraq: Health Protocols, Dental Treatment And Cross Infection
Journal of Emergency Medicine, Trauma and Acute Care, 25 November 2024
This study assesses the impact of COVID-19 on dental treatment and the risk of cross-infection.
COVID-19-Related Spinal Subdural Hematoma Presented with Acute Compressive Myelopathy with a Review of the Literature
Neurology and Neuroscience, 29 November 2024
This case report from Iraq argues that for a patient who presents with acute onset of severe back pain and myelopathy without a history of trauma, SSDH should be suspected. Additionally, coagulopathy associated with COVID-19 infection should increase the suspicion of SSDH which needs immediate surgical treatment to save the spinal cord.
Jordan
A Retrospective Analysis of Jordan’s National COVID-19 Call Center: Operations, Effectiveness, and Lessons Learned
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 8 November 2024
This study examines the operation and assessed the effectiveness of Jordan’s COVID-19 call center activities in reaching COVID-19 cases and their contacts.
Kuwait
Digital Epidemiology Of High-Frequency Search Listening Trends For The Surveillance Of Subjective Well-Being During COVID-19 Pandemic
Frontiers in Psychology, 31 October 2024
This study examines how changes in government policies during the COVID-19 pandemic influenced public expressions of psychological distress, as reflected in the volume of related online searches in Kuwait.
The Impact Of COVID-19 Infection On Multiple Sclerosis Disease Course Across 12 Countries: A Propensity-Score-Matched Cohort Study
Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders, 7 November 2024
This study evaluates the effect of COVID-19 infection on MS disease course with a large propensity-matched cohort from 12 countries, including Kuwait.
Libya
Elevated Blood Glucose in COVID-19 Patients: An explorative Study
MedRxiv Preprint, 25 November 2024
This study, drawing on data from Libya, examines the association between blood glucose concentration and some biochemical variables that lead to high blood glucose in people infected with Covid-19 virus.
Morocco
Factors Influencing Moroccans’ Intention to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine: Results From a Cross-Sectional Study
Cureus, 5 November 2024
This study examines the factors that affect individuals’ willingness to get vaccinated in Morocco.
Investigating The Various Impacts Of COVID-19 Using Sentiment Analysis And Topic Modeling Over Three Years
ResearchSquare (Preprint), 17 November 2024
This research paper examines the impacts of COVID-19 in Morocco using topic modeling, sentiment analysis, and time series analysis.
Oman
COVID-19 Increased Existing Gender Mortality Gaps In High-Income More Than Middle-Income Countries
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, November 2024
This study – based on data from over 60 countries, including Oman – analyzes how patterns of excess mortality varied by sex and age groups across countries during the COVID-19 pandemic and their association with country income level.
Sociodemographic And Health Determinants Of Lifestyle Changes During The COVID-19 Pandemic In Oman
Heliyon, 13 November 2024
This study examines the sociodemographic and health factors associated with lifestyle behavior changes among Omani adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Rising Threat of Mucormycosis: Oman’s Experience Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Journal of Fungi, 15 November 2024
This study presents a national, multicentric, retrospective review that includes all cases of proven mucormycosis between 2006 and 2022 in Oman.
Navigating the Pandemic: Insights into Food Security From Oman’s Experience
Journal of Asian and African Studies, 19 November 2024
This study examines the influence of COVID-19 and climate change on food security in Oman using econometric methods.
Predictors Of Presence Of And Search For Meaning In Life Among Omani Students During The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
Nature Scientific Reports, 29 November 2024
This study investigates the personal and academic factors associated with the presence and search for meaning in life among college students in Oman.
Palestine
The Association Between Diabetes and the Outcome of COVID-19 Infection in Bethlehem, Palestine: A Case–Control Study
Journal of Pathogens, 11 November 2024
This case–control design study examines the correlation in the Palestinian population in light of its impact on diabetic patients.
Prevalence And Severity Of Depression, Anxiety And Stress Among COVID-19 Patients In Gaza Strip During The Pandemic: A Prospective Study
EC Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, 29 November 2024
This study assesses the prevalence and severity of mental health issues in a hospitalized population of people with COVID-19.
Qatar
Azithromycin Use Before And During The COVID- 19 Pandemic And The Impact Of Implementing National Evidence-Based Guidelines In Qatar
Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, November-December 2024
This study assesses azithromycin usage before and during the pandemic in a national healthcare system in Qatar and the impact of implementation of evidence-based guidelines upon prescription rates.
Multivariate Techniques for Monitoring Susceptible, Exposed, Infected, Recovered, Death, and Vaccination Model Parameters for the COVID-19 Pandemic for Qatar
Environmental Research and Public Health, 27 November 2024
This study introduces an innovative application of existing methodologies: the Multivariate Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (MEWMA) and Multivariate Cumulative Sum (MCUSUM) control charts (CCs), used for monitoring the parameters of the Susceptible, Exposed, Infected, Recovered, Death, and Vaccination (SEIRDV) model.
Saudi Arabia
Impact of High Troponin Level on the Outcome in COVID-19 Positive Patients
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 1 November 2024
This study, based on data from Saudi Arabia, assesses the clinical effect of COVID-19 on myocardial injury, as measured by troponin elevation, and evaluates if this effect has an impact on the outcome.
Radiomic Features Based Automatic Classification Of CT Lung Findings For COVID-19 Patients
Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express, 20 November 2024
This study, by Saudi authors, proposes a baseline to select heterogeneity/radiomic features that can distinguish three pathological lung findings.
Tunisia
Pulmonary Actinomycosis Complicating COVID-19 Pneumonia In An Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report
Future Science OA, 21 November 2024
This study reports the observation of a 48-year-old Tunisian man, a smoker, who presented, in the aftermath of COVID-19 pneumonia requiring oxygen therapy a pyopneumothorax treated with antibiotic therapy and chest drainage. A few days later, he presented with hemoptysis. The diagnosis of actinomycosis was made based on histopathological data from endoscopic biopsies. The outcome was favorable under adapted and prolonged antibiotic therapy with amoxicillin. Pulmonary actinomycosis, although rare, should be suspected in front of lingering respiratory symptoms and/or atypical radiological findings in the context of a COVID-19.
Exploring The Landscape Of Symptom-Specific Inflammatory Cytokines In Post-COVID Syndrome Patients
BMC Infectious Diseases, 22 November 2024
This study, from Tunisia, examines the profile of inflammatory cytokines in patients with post-COVID syndrome (PCS) and investigates the relationship between this profile, the clinical symptoms as well as the endothelial function in PCS.