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 | Bahrain | Egypt| Iraq| Jordan| Lebanon| Libya| Morocco| Oman|
Palestine| Qatar| Saudi Arabia| Somalia| Sudan| Syria| Tunisia| UAE| Yemen]
MENA
Estimation of Death Risk Factors Associated with the Coronavirus Pandemic in the Middle East and North Africa
Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine, 15 June 2023
This article examines the link between potential risk factors and COVID-19 lethality in the Middle East and North Africa based on statistical modeling with longitudinal data.
Learning from the Past: A Short Term Forecast Method for the COVID-19 Incidence Curve
PLOS Computational Biology, 21 June 2023
This article proposes a machine learning method that forecasts the future values of daily incidence rates based on the patterns of past trends. It draws its data from numerous countries worldwide including Iraq, Jordan, Tunisia, and the UAE from the MENA region.
Quality of Life Among the Arab Population Two Years After COVID-19 Pandemic
BMC Public Health, 30 June 2023
This article assesses the quality of life (QoL) domains and their determinants among the general population in Arab countries after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Algeria
Seroprevalence of COVID-19 in Oran: Cross-Sectional Study
Microbiology Spectrum, 7 June 2023
This article estimates the seroprevalence of COVID-19 infections in Oran, Algeria, and to identifies factors associated with seropositivity.
Blended Learning in Algeria: Assessing Students’ Satisfaction and Future Preferences Using SEM and Sentiment Analysis
Innovative Higher Education, 8 June 2023
This article uses sentiment analysis to gauge Algerian students’ satisfaction with blended learning, online and in person, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bahrain
Transient Anosmia and Dysgeusia in COVID-19 Disease: A Cross Sectional Study
International Journal of General Medicine, 12 June 2023
This article examines olfactory and gustatory dysfunction associated with COVID-19 infection in adult patients in Bahrain.
Egypt
Study of Pulmonary Hypertension in Post-COVID-19 Patients by Transthoracic Echocardiography
The Egyptian Journal of Bronchology, 1 June 2023
This article examines Pulmonary Hypertension and altered right ventricular function by TTE (transthoracic echocardiography) in post-COVID-19 cases at Tanta Chest University Hospital.
Resurgence of Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Egypt Following Two Years of Decline During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Outpatient Clinic Survey of Infants and Children, October 2022
BMC Public Health, 5 June 2023
This article examines the epidemiology and clinical profile of Acute Respiratory infections caused by influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus, estimates their burden, and identifies changes in epidemiology associated with their resurgence after two years of low activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Association Between Genetic Polymorphism, Severity, and Treatment Response Among COVID-19 Infected Egyptian Patients
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 22 June 2023
This article investigates the relationship between a set of genetic variables (the ACE-1, ACE-2, and TMPRSS2 genes single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs)) and a set of COVID-19 outcomes: the disease’s severity, treatment response, need for hospitalization, and ICU admission in Egyptian patients.
Iraq
Health-Related Factors of the Iraqi Adult Population During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic: Physical Activity, Eating Behavior, Quality of Life, General Health, and Mood States Cross-Talk
BMC Public Health, 1 June 2023
This article evaluates the PAL (physical activity level), eating behavior, Quality of Life (QoL), General Health (GH), and mood states during COVID-19 confinement in a large sample of Iraqi adults.
Attitudes of Islamic Clerics to Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine in Iraqi Kurdistan: A Focus Group Study
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 19 June 2023
This article examines the attitudes of Islamic clerics in Kurdistan toward receiving COVID-19 vaccines, all through a semi-structured qualitative focus group study.
A Study of Long COVID-19 in Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, 30 June 2023
This article assesses the prevalence of long COVID-19 in Duhok City, Iraq, and its correlation with epidemiological and clinical variables.
Jordan
Prevalence of Depression Among Jordanian University Students During COVID-19 Pandemic
Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal, 26 May 2023
This article investigates the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and depression as a mental health problem among students of Jadara University.
Predictors of Intensive Care Unit Length of Stay and Mortality Among Unvaccinated COVID-19 Patients in Jordan
Infection Prevention in Practice, 1 June 2023
This article examines predictors of mortality and length of ICU stay in unvaccinated COVID-19 patients in the north of Jordan.
The Impact of COVID-19 Confinement on Reading Behavior
Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health, 5 June 2023
This article examines the changes in reading habits among Jordanian students during COVID-19 confinement.
The Impact of the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Academic Studies, Clinical Training, and Their Opinion on Vaccination Among Radiography Students
Electronic Journal of General Medicine, 10 June 2023
This article investigates the effect of COVID-19 on radiography students’ education in Jordan.
The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Tobacco Use: A Population-Based Study
PLOS One, 23 June 2023
This article examines COVID-19 lockdowns’ effects on tobacco smoking habits among Jordanian adults of two genders.
Lebanon
Following the COVID-19 Playbook and Battling another Infodemic: Conspiracy Beliefs around Human Monkeypox Among the Lebanese Population
Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, 13 June 2023
This article assesses the extent of endorsement of MPX conspiracy beliefs among the Lebanese population and to identifies its associated factors in light of similar trends observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Assessment of Medication Adherence Among Lebanese Adult Patients with Non-Communicable Diseases During COVID-19 Lockdown: A Cross-Sectional Study
Frontiers in Public Health, 21 June 2023
This article evaluates treatment adherence levels and associated factors among Lebanese adult patients with non-communicable diseases during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
Association Between COVID-19 Vaccination, Fear of COVID-19 and Female Sexual Satisfaction Among a Sample of Lebanese Women: A Pilot Study
Pharmacy Practice, 21 June 2023
This article assess the association between COVID-19 vaccination, fear of COVID-19, and female sexual satisfaction among a sample of Lebanese women.
The Determinants of Sustained Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures Among Older Syrian Refugees in Lebanon
PLOS One, 22 June 2023
This article uses multivariate linear probability models to explore the determinants of adherence to two non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 prevention measures (wearing a mask and avoiding social gatherings) among older Syrian refugees, a high-risk subgroup in a vulnerable population.
Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites During Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic at a Tertiary Care Center in Lebanon
The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, 30 June 2023
This article compares the prevalence and types of IPIs (intestinal parasites infections) during, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic using data reported in Lebanon a decade ago.
COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptability: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Lebanese Residents
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 30 June 2023
This article assesses the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination and its predictors among the Lebanese population.
Libya
The Impact Of COVID-19 on Management of Small Companies
Libyan International Medical University, 15 June 2023
This working paper examines the impact of COVID-19 on the management of small businesses in Libya and reports the plans and strategies businesses put in place to continue and enhance their operations during the pandemic.
Morocco
Ethnobotanical Survey on Plants Used During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Taza (Morocco) and Population Satisfaction According to the “Rules of Association” Approach
Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacognosy Research, 7 June 2023
This article examines the ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal plants used in confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Taza in Morocco, and their efficacy, using an associative database.
Oman
Child Protection Services During COVID-19 in Oman, Child Protection Workers Views
Journal of Advanced Pediatrics and Child Health, 29 May 2023
This article assess the impact of COVID-19 on CPSs (child protection services) in Oman by examining the change in the number of reported cases of child abuse and the change in the reporting procedure at the Ministry of Social Development (MOSD).
The Incidence of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study at a Tertiary Level Hospital in Oman
Cureus, 12 June 2023
This article assesses the incidence of AKI (acute kidney injury), risk factors including hyperglycemia, and the requirement for renal dialysis among patients with COVID-19 given that AKI is an associated adverse outcome.
The Role of Interactive Social Media in Forming Academic Public Opinion During the “COVID-19” Crisis Among Students of the University of Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman
Jordanian Education Journal, 30 June 2023
This article examines the role of interactive social media in forming academic public opinion during the COVID-19 crisis among students of the University of Nizwa in the Sultanate of Oman.
Palestine
Knowledge of COVID-19 Updated Guidelines Among Undergraduate Nursing Students in Selected Nursing Schools in Palestine
Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 8 June 2023
This article reports the findings of a survey conducted on three hundred undergraduate nursing students from 10 nursing schools in the West Bank to assess their understanding of updated guidelines for COVID-19.
Qatar
A Prospective Cohort Study (OUTSTRIP-COVID) on Functional and Spirometry Outcomes in COVID-19 ICU Survivors at 3 Months
International Journal of General Medicine, 3 June 2023
This article evaluates the short-, medium- and long-term outcomes of lung function and quality of life in a cohort of ICU survivors in Qatar and reports the outcomes at 7 weeks and 3 months from discharge from intensive care units.
Impact of Timing and Severity of COVID-19 Infection in Pregnancy on Intrauterine Fetal Growth- a Registry-Based Study from Qatar
PLOS One, 30 June 2023
This article investigates the impact of gestational age at diagnosis of COVID-19 and the presence of symptoms on intrauterine fetal growth in pregnant women.
Saudi Arabia
Perceptions of Volunteering During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Medical and Dental Professionals in Saudi Arabia
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 1 June 2023
This article evaluates Saudi Arabia’s clinical, medical, and dentistry students’ attitudes and perspectives on volunteering during COVID-19 pandemic.
Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Children’s Psychosocial Well-Being: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia
Cureus, 3 June 2023
This article examines the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the psychosocial well-being of children aged 1-18 years who were living in Saudi Arabia during the time of the pandemic.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Healthcare Workers Towards Antibiotic Resistance During the COVID-19 Pandemic
JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance, 5 June 2023
This article assesses the healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in relation to antibiotic resistance during the era of COVID-19, and identifies the associated factors with good KAP.
The Role of Blood Groups, Vaccine Type and Gender in Predicting the Severity of Side Effects Among University Students Receiving COVID-19 Vaccines
BMC Infectious Diseases, 6 June 2023
This article examines the predictors of side effects’ severity after COVID-19 vaccination among young adult students at Taif University (TU) in Saudi Arabia.
Real-World Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Vaccinated Individuals in Jazan, Saudi Arabia
Journal of Infection and Public Health, 15 June 2023
This article assesses how effective two doses of the Pfizer and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines were in preventing SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID-19) infection six months after administration.
COVID-19 Among Hospitalized Chronic Hemodialysis Patients: Clinical Features and Predictors of Mortality
JOJ Urology & Nephrology, 20 June 2023
This article examines the clinical course and outcomes of hemodialysis patients with COVID-19 infection and identifies predictors of mortality.
Musculoskeletal Pain Post-COVID-19 in Patients Undergoing Physical Therapy in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 21 June 2023
This article examines musculoskeletal pain post-COVID-19 in patients undergoing physical therapy in Saudi Arabia.
Early Cytokine Signatures of Hospitalized Mild and Severe COVID-19 Patients: A Prospective Observational Study
Journal of Inflammation Research, 22 June 2023
This article compares the early cytokine profile of mild and severe COVID-19 patients to that with COVID-19-like symptoms and tested negative for SARS-Cov-2 in the Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test.
Knowledge, Awareness, and Perception of COVID-19 and Artificial Intelligence: A Cross-Sectional Study Among the Population in Saudi Arabia
Cureus, 25 June 2023
This article assesses the knowledge, perceptions, and awareness of the general population in Saudi Arabia regarding AI (artificial intelligence) and its application in combating COVID-19.
COVID-19 Vaccine Knowledge and Attitude Among Healthcare Workers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Cureus, 28 June 2023
This article reports the findings of a study that asked healthcare workers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to reflect on their knowledge of and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines.
Somalia
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Self-Medication Practices against COVID-19 Infection and Awareness Among Residents of Mogadishu, Somalia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
PLOS One, 28 June 2023
This article evaluates the awareness of COVID-19 and the prevalence of self-medication during the pandemic among residents in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Sudan
Alternative Epidemic Indicators for COVID-19 in Three Settings with Incomplete Death Registration Systems
Science Advances, 9 June 2023
This article examines the factors underlying the underreporting of COVID-19 deaths. It uses examples from three major cities: Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Aden (Yemen), and Khartoum (Sudan) during 2020.
Syria
COVID-19 Vaccination Personas in Syria: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Survey
Vaccines, 16 June 2023
This article seeks to identify the determinants of COVID-19 vaccination coverage using a large, cross-sectional sample (October–November 2022) of over 17,000 adults in Syria.
Tunisia
Virological Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in a Tunisian Orthopedic Institute
Translational Medicine: Open Access, 5 June 2023
This article investigates the epidemiological profile of the virological diagnosis of COVID-19 at Mohamed Kassab Institute of Orthopedics in Tunisia.
The Effectiveness of a Health Education Intervention to Reduce Anxiety in Quarantined COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
BMC Public Health, 20 June 2023
This article assesses the impact of health education on the anxiety level of COVID-19 patients during the isolation period.
Hospital Bed Capacity Across in Tunisia Hospital During the First 4 Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Analysis
Infectious Medicine, 26 June 2023
This article analyzes the bed occupancy rates in public hospitals in Tunisia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
UAE
Systems Genetics Identifies miRNA-Mediated Regulation of Host Response in COVID-19
Human Genomics, 12 June 2023
This article combines multi-omics profiling with phenotypes from electronic health records to understand how miRNA expression contributes to variation in COVID-19 severity in a diverse cohort of 259 unvaccinated patients in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Evaluation of Public Awareness and Performance Towards the Safe Use of Household Disinfectants-Cleaners to Prevent COVID-19 in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Frontiers in Public Health, 28 June 2023
This article assesses the public levels of awareness and performance concerning the safe use of household cleaning products and disinfectants during the spread of COVID-19 in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Yemen
Alternative Epidemic Indicators for COVID-19 in Three Settings with Incomplete Death Registration Systems
Science Advances, 9 June 2023
This article examines the reasons for underreporting COVID-19 deaths, using examples from three major cities: Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Aden (Yemen), and Khartoum (Sudan) during 2020.