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 | Egypt| Iraq| Jordan| Kuwait | Lebanon| Libya| Morocco| Oman|
Palestine| Qatar| Saudi Arabia| UAE|Yemen]
MENA
Psychological Antecedents Of Vaccine Inequity: Keys To Improve The Rates Of Vaccination
Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association, 4 December 2024
This study investigates the determinants of psychological antecedents and other factors behind COVID-19 vaccination and their role in vaccine coverage in MENA.
Narrative Review Of Factors Associated With SARS-Cov-2 Coinfection In Middle Eastern Countries And The Need To Vaccinate Against Preventable Diseases
Journal of Infection and Public Health, 16 December 2024
This review evaluates the frequency of, and outcomes associated with, bacterial, fungal, and viral coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 in Middle Eastern countries via a PubMed search through February 2023.
A Scoping Review Of COVID-19 Economic Response Policies In The MENA Countries: Lessons Learned For Iran For Future Pandemics
Health Economics Review, 20 December 2024
This study reviews evidence from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including Iran, on COVID-19 economic response policies designed to protect households, vulnerable groups, and businesses.
Algeria
The Algerian State’s Health Policy, The Corona Pandemic As An Example
Studies in Health Sciences, December 2024
This study reports on the measures by the Algerian government to combat COVID-19 and mitigate its impact.
Exploring the Impact of Organizational Support, Perceived Productivity, and Employee Status on the Organizational Commitment during the Mandatory Telework of COVID-19 Pandemic: Empirical Evidence with Algerian Employees
Journal of Comparative International Management, 18 December 2024
This study investigates the impact of mandatory teleworking during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on organizational commitment (OC) among employees in Algeria.
The Impact of Smoking on the Severity of COVID-19 and Risk Factors for Mortality: A Prospective Study in Hospitalized Patients
Journal of Advanced Lung Health, 26 December 2024
This study from Algeria argues that cigarette smokers are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and have a higher risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19.
Uncovering Clinical Insights: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Covid-19 Cases In Oran From May To September 2021
EuroMediterranean Biomedical Journal, 30 December 2024
This research aims to identify the factors contributing to the coronavirus’s spread in Algeria. It is the inaugural descriptive Algerian study on COVID-19.
Egypt
Assessment of Left Ventricular Function by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Patients with COVID-19
Menoufia Medical Journal, 25 November 2024
This study investigates the impact of active COVID-19 infection on left ventricular mechanics using 2D speckle tracking echocardiography.
Correlation Between Rs7041 And Rs4588 Polymorphisms In Vitamin D Binding Protein Gene And COVID-19-Related Severity And Mortality
BMC Med Genomics, 2 December 2024
The study investigates the correlation between rs7041 and rs4588 polymorphisms in the DBP gene and Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) severity and mortality, in patients of Suez Canal University Hospitals in Ismailia, Egypt.
Impact Of COVID-19 Vaccination In Patients With Epilepsy
The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, 11 December 2024
This work investigates the impact of COVID-19 different vaccines on seizure control in patients with epilepsy.
COVID-19 and Liver
The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine, 23 December 2024
This study evaluates the impact of COVID-19 on liver function in both hepatic and non-hepatic patients across varying degrees of disease severity, as confirmed by PCR testing.
Iraq
Deep Learning Model for Predicting Spreading Rates of Pandemics, COVID-19 as Case Study
Journal of Information and Organizational Sciences, 18 December 2024
This study uses an advanced mathematical model to examine and predict a pandemic’s spread.
Jordan
Examining the Correlation Between Clinical Presentations of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019) Infected Pneumonia and the Utilisation of Natural Remedies for Alleviation
Journal of Natural Remedies, November 2024
This study examines how natural remedies can help manage COVID-19 symptoms and it explores the complex relationship between symptomatology and consumption.
Genotype and Haplotype Analysis With In Silico Prediction of TMPRSS2 Gene in Jordanian Population
Annals of Human Genetics, 27 December 2024
This study examines the genotype and haplotype variations in the TMPRSS2 binding domain with SARS-CoV-2 among Jordanian volunteers.
Duration Of Symptoms Post COVID-19 Vaccination As A Factor Influencing Jordanian Mothers’ Refusal Of The New Measles-Rubella Vaccine: A Comprehensive Cross-Sectional Study
Discover Public Health, 30 December 2024
This study assesses MR vaccine refusal rates among Jordanian mothers and explore factors influencing their decision-making, particularly the impact of their experiences with COVID-19 vaccination.
Kuwait
Impact Of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) On Gaseous Pollutants And Particulate Matter In A Hot Arid Climate
Kuwait Journal of Science, 20 December 2024
This study uses the state of Kuwait as a case study to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on levels of gaseous pollutants (NO2, O3, SO2, H2S, CO) and particulate matter 2.5 and 10 μm (PM2.5 and PM10) in a hot arid region.
Lebanon
Vaccine Hesitancy Toward COVID-19 Vaccines Among Humanitarian Healthcare Workers in Lebanon, 2021
COVID, 17 December 2024
In this study, International Medical Corps conducted a cross-sectional survey to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding COVID-19 and to identify determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among 413 healthcare workers (HCW) working at 90 national primary healthcare centers in Lebanon, just prior to widespread vaccine rollout.
Impact On Clinical Guideline Adherence Of Orient-COVID, A Clinical Decision Support System Based On Dynamic Decision Trees For COVID19 Management: A Randomized Simulation Trial With Medical Trainees
International Journal of Medical Informatics, 24 December 2024
This study proposes an innovative visual interface to allow clinicians easily navigating inside decision trees for the management of COVID-19 patients. It associates a multi-path tree model with the use of the fisheye visual technique, allowing the visualization of large decision trees in a single screen.
Unlocking The Keys To COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance: Insights From Healthcare Workers And The General Population
Discover Social Science & Health, 24 December 2024
This study assesses COVID-19 vaccine willingness and its influencing factors among healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-HCWs in Lebanon.
Libya
Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Multivariate Analysis as Tools for Predicting Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infectiousness
Journal of Clinical Medicine of Kazakhstan, 9 December 2024
This study examines the COVID-19 epidemic’s impact on the residents of the southern Libyan region, using complete blood count (CBC) and multivariate statistical analysis.
COVID-19 Vaccine Knowledge And Acceptance Among The Libyan Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 19 December 2024
This study identifies Libyans’ knowledge, attitudes, and acceptance regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. A cross-sectional survey was electronically distributed to the Libyan population aged 18 and older between May and September 2023.
Morocco
Moroccan Eating Habits During COVID-19 Lockdown: A Preliminary Analysis
Discover Food, 19 December 2024
This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dietary habits. Data were collected from an online survey (n = 171, out of 315 initial respondents) during the lockdown period from April to June 2020.
Immunologic Assessment Of The Impact Of SARS-Cov-2 Vaccine Booster Doses On Humoral Immunity: A Cross-Sectional Study In Morocco
BMC Infectious Diseases, 28 December 2024
This study assesses the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 booster dose on the immune response against COVID-19, through a cross-sectional study in the Casablanca-Settat region of Morocco.
Oman
The Profound Impact Of COVID-19 On The Control And Care Of Diabetic Patients: A Comprehensive Retrospective Cohort Study
BMC Primary Care, 21 December 2024
This study assesses the pandemic’s effect on diabetes control, by examining glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure (BP), lipid values (particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL), body weight/ body mass index (BMI), and comparing these measures to pre-pandemic levels.
Palestine
Challenging Gender Roles during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of Employed Palestinian-Arab Mothers in Israel
Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 23 December 2024
Drawing on gender theory and the time availability explanation, this article explores the way changes in family and work arrangements altered the division of housework and care work in a highly gendered society; Palestinian-Arab dual-earner families in Israel.
Qatar
COVID-19 Increases the Risk of New Myocardial Infarction in Patients with Old Myocardial Infarction: A Retrospective Observational Study
Clinical Medicine Insights: Cardiology, 18 December 2024
This study, relying on data from Qatar, investigates the incidence of new acute myocardial infarction (AMI), in patients with Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) who had old MI. It hypothesizes that COVID-19 increases the rate of repeated AMI in this population regardless of age and gender.
Saudi Arabia
New Onset of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Post-COVID-19 Vaccine
Journal of Medical Cases, December 2024
This study reports the case of new-onset diabetes mellitus (DM) and severe metabolic complications in a 45-year-old woman in Saudi Arabia after RNA-based vaccination.
Perceived Stress Levels And Professional Quality Of Life Aspects Among Nurses During COVID-19 Pandemic In Saudi Arabia
International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 2 December 2024
This study assesses perceived stress and professional quality of life among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia.
Mental Health Variables Affecting Quality Of Life (QOL) Among Healthcare Workers During The COVID-19 Pandemic In Jazan City, Saudi Arabia
Frontiers in Psychology, 3 December 2024
This study assesses the quality of life (QoL) of healthcare workers at Prince Mohammed bin Nasser Tertiary Hospital in Jazan during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the relationship between QoL and stress, anxiety, and depression. Pandemic.
New Advanced Trigonometric Modeling of COVID-19 Cases in Saudi Arabia
Journal of Mathematics, 7 December 2024
This study aims to identify the most effective model for predicting COVID-19 trends by analyzing daily time-to-event case data across six Saudi regions. The goal is to enhance resource allocation and intervention strategies by gaining a deeper understanding of the epidemic’s dynamics and developing a reliable method for early detection of trend changes to prompt timely public health actions.
Favipiravir for COVID-19 Pneumonia: Effectiveness, Safety, and Clinical Outcomes: A Retrospective Single-Center Experience
COVID, 11 December 2024
This retrospective cohort study evaluates the efficacy, safety, and clinical outcomes of favipiravir in COVID-19 pneumonia patients admitted to the Armed Forces Hospitals Southern Region. The analysis includes patient characteristics, treatment responses, and laboratory parameters.
E- Learning Experience Of The Medical Profession’s College Students During COVID-19 Pandemic In Saudi Arabia
Research Communities, 18 December 2024
This study explores the e-learning experience of the students of the colleges of health sciences with regard to the technical preparedness, academic achievements, e-learning advantages and limitations.
The Severity of the COVID-19 Among Chronic Disease Patients in the Selected Hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – A Retrospective Study
Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 27 December 2024
This study assesses the severity of COVID-19 among chronic disease patients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Post-COVID-19 Manifestations Among College Students: Shedding The Light On Young Adults’ Health
BMC Public Health, 30 December 2024
This study seeks to determine the prevalence and characteristics of post-COVID-19 manifestations in young adults.
Confidence In The Efficacy Of Routine Vaccines After The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Web-Based Study
BMC Public Health, 30 December 2024
This study assesses the changes and the reasons for public confidence in routine childhood and adult vaccines, and measures the impact of COVID-19 on peoples’ thoughts regarding routine vaccinations in Saudi Arabia.
Ocular Symptoms Among COVID-19 Positive Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Cureus, 31 December 2024
This study reports the ocular manifestations of COVID-19 in confirmed cases from the Qassim region, of Saudi Arabia.
UAE
Addressing Drug Shortages at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital: A Five-Year Study of Challenges, Impact, and Strategies
Cureus, 27 December 2024
This study assesses drug shortages’ prevalence, causes, and impact at a tertiary care hospital in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), providing actionable insights for future mitigation strategies.
Yemen
Mortality Among Dental Healthcare Workers During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Public Domain Database Study
International Dental Journal, 18 December 2024
This retrospective study, using data from several countries, including Yemen, ascertains the mortality of dental healthcare workers (DHCWs) attributable to SARS-CoV-2 infection from databases in the public domain during the pandemic.