ARD Releases October 2022 Issue of Mofeed Digest

Mofeed Digest (October 2022)

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| Kuwait| Lebanon| Libya| Morocco| Palestine| Qatar| Saudi Arabia| Somalia| Sudan| Syria| Tunisia| UAE| Yemen]

MENA

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Migrants’ Remittances in the Mediterranean– Evidence from Libya and Tunisia
European Institute of the Mediterranian, October 2022
This article highlights the wide range of consequences of and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic as related to remittance outflows from Libya and Tunisia and finds that variables such as length of stay, reason for migrating and region of origin all influenced the likelihood of continued remittance-sending during the pandemic, as well as the likelihood of migrants receiving ‘reverse remittances’ from kin in their country of origin.

Effects of COVID-19 on Pediatric Cancer Care: A Multicenter Study of 11 Middle Eastern Countries
Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, 12 October 2022 
This article highlights the major challenges facing pediatric cancer centers due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 11 Middle Eastern countries. It specifically studies access to cancer centers, continuity of anti-cancer therapy, hospital admission, and infection protection precautions during the pandemic.

A Review about COVID-19 in the MENA Region: Environmental Concerns and Machine Learning Applications
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 12 October 2022 
This article reviews data about the transmission of the new coronavirus in various settings to better understand virus transmission. It also highlights the most significant application of machine learning to forecast and diagnose COVID-19.

Sex Disparities in Food Consumption Patterns, Dietary Diversity and Determinants of Self-Reported Body Weight Changes Before and Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in 10 Arab Countries
Frontiers in Public Health, 28 October 2022 
This article assesses the gender-based differentials in food consumption patterns, dietary diversity, and the determinants favoring weight change before and amid the COVID-19 pandemic among Arab men and women from 10 Arab countries.

Could the New BA.2.75 Sub-Variant Cause the Emergence of a Global Epidemic of COVID-19? A Scoping Review
Infection and Drug Resistance, 31 October 2022 
This article studies a specific subtype of the SARs-CoV-2 virus and assesses the potential of the new subtype for causing another global mayhem.  

Algeria

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Short-Term Adverse Effects Following Booster Dose of Inactivated-Virus vs. Adenoviral-Vector COVID-19 Vaccines in Algeria: A Cross-Sectional Study of the General Population
Vaccines, 22 October 2022 
This article studies the side effects of COVID-19 booster vaccines to determine the eventual risk factors.

Bahrain

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Women in Bahrain
Derasat, 24 October 2022 
This article focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Bahraini Women and reports the findings of an online survey in which approximately 350 Bahraini women participated and a focus group session that examined women’s experience with remote work during the pandemic.

COVID -19 Vaccinations in Pregnancy: Save Mother and Baby from COVID-19 Pandemic
International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 28 October 2022 
This article reports the results of a retrospective study of pregnant women in Bahrain Defense Force Hospital, who were vaccinated against COVID-19 with Sinopharm or Pfizer/Bio NTech. It studies immune responses to vaccination, association with maternal and fetal factors, and the vertical transmission of antibodies.

Egypt

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Violence Against Healthcare Workers during Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Study
Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 14 October 2022 
This article aims to determine the prevalence of workplace violence, its risk variables, and the pattern of violence directed toward healthcare workers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt.

Characteristics, Outcomes and Indicators of Severity for COVID-19 Among Sample of ESNA Quarantine Hospital’s Patients, Egypt: A Retrospective Study
Infection and Drug Resistance, 21 October 2022 
This article analyzes the hematological, biochemical, and chest imaging findings of a cohort of COVID-19 patients in Egypt and sheds light on the predictors of COVID-19 severity.

Iraq

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Sequencing and Mutations Analysis of the First Recorded SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant during the Fourth Wave of Pandemic in Iraq
The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, October 2022 
This article reports on a study conducted to sequence and molecularly characterize the representing samples from the early fourth COVID-19 wave in Iraq.

Genome Sequence of an Early Imported Case of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant (B.1.617.2 AY.122) in Iraq in April 2021
American Society for Microbiology, 17 October 2022 
This article reports the complete genome sequence of an early imported case of a SARS-CoV-2 strain in Iraq obtained from a flight passenger en route from India. 

COVID-19 Death Rates in Iran and Iraq: Possible Relations Between Iraq’s Pre-COVID-19 Mass Gatherings and Its Low Death Rate
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 21 October 2022 
This article focuses on the notable difference in death rates due to COVID-19 in Iran and Iraq. It also discusses the possible effect of Iraq pre-COVID-19 mass gatherings on the death rate.

Dynamic Inferences of Coronavirus Epidemiology Spread in Iraq Region
AIP Conference Proceedings 2400, 31 October 2022 
This article reflects on the authors’ development of a new epidemiological dynamical model-design that can simulate the spread of the coronavirus in Iraq.

Jordan

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Two Years of COVID-19 Pandemic in Jordan: A Focus on Epidemiology and Vaccination
Journal of Global Health, 1 October 2022 
This article aims to narrate the story of COVID-19 spread in Jordan from its onset and to document major events and vaccination efforts in the country.

Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Symptoms After Mild and Moderate SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Frontiers in Medicine, 3 October 2022 
This article investigates the prevalence of PCS (Post-COVID-19 Syndrome) in non-hospitalized subjects with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection in Jordan and also assesses the impact of age and gender on PCS.

New Symptoms and Prevalence of Postacute COVID-19 Syndrome among Nonhospitalized COVID-19 Survivors
Scientific Reports, 8 October 2022 
This article assesses post acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) symptoms according to the onset of the infection while evaluating the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on the symptoms of PACS.

Use of Traditional and Complementary Medicine for COVID-19 Prophylaxis Among Healthcare Professionals and Students in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study
PLOS One, 20 October 2022 
This article aims to assess the prevalence of use of traditional and complementary medicine for the prophylaxis of COVID-19 among healthcare professionals and students in Jordan.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Physical Activity of Jordanian Population
Health Science Reports, 28 October 2022 
This article examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical activity (PA) of the Jordanian population and reports that the pandemic had a positive impact on the healthy lifestyle of the Jordanian population which was attributed to their feeling of the importance of sports practice on the immune system and the availability of time for those activities.

Kuwait

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COVID-19 Environmental and Operational Impact for Public Transport in Kuwait
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 3 October 2022 
This article studies the experience of the Kuwait public transport company KPTC and Kuwait Airways during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the major losses they incurred due to the decline of their users.

Using Absorbable Sutures for Traumatic Wound Closure to Avoid Additional Hospital Visits for Suture Removal During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Cureus, 6 October 2022 
This article studied the usage of absorbable sutures for wound closure treatments in Kuwait during the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid requiring patients to come to hospitals frequently for wound dressings during the pandemic and the lockdown measures.

Lebanon

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Development of a Prediction Model for the Management of Noncommunicable Diseases Among Older Syrian Refugees Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in Lebanon
Journal of the American Medical Association, 13 October 2022 
This article investigates the predictors and barriers to managing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) for older Syrian refugees in Lebanon during the COVID-19 pandemic. It lists predictors including age, no cash assistance, household water and food insecurity, and having multiple chronic diseases.

Observational Study of Factors Associated with Morbidity and Mortality from COVID-19 in Lebanon, 2020–2021
PLOS One, 19 October 2022 
This article probes for outcomes of severity of COVID-19 in Lebanese patients to investigate the association between clinical and metabolic variables and disease outcomes, mainly intubation and mortality.

Food Insecurity and Eating Habits of Lebanese Children Aged 5–11 Years during the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Socioeconomic Crisis: A National Study
BMC Public Health, 29 October 2022 
This article aims to find the prevalence of food insecurity among Lebanese children during the COVID-19 pandemic and its correlates.

Libya

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Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS) Right Atrioventricular and Vena Cava Thrombus on Top of a Myxoma. A Case Report
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 8 October 2022 
This article studies the relationship between a prior COVID-19 infection and the formation of thrombus inside cardiac chambers in the case of a cardiac tumor such as myxoma. It reports the specific case of a 21-year-old Libyan female who had a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and presented with a right atrioventricular thrombus associated with pulmonary embolism and thrombocytopenia.

Morocco 

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Covidly Humorous Memes: Coping Mechanisms and Power Dynamics of Humour during the Pandemic in Morocco
European Journal of Humour Research, 11 October 2022
This article analyzes memes posted on Moroccan Facebook pages during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and shows that the use of humor by Moroccans is not only motivated by achieving mirth but also vehicles critical views about issues of common concern debated in the digital public sphere.

Economic Resilience in Morocco during COVID-19
Economic Research Forum, 11 October 2022 
This article outlines the results of analysis assessing the effects of Morocco’s government actions during the COVID-19 pandemic on economic variables and raises questions about the design of future monetary and fiscal policies and their interaction in an environment of high public debt.

Factors Affecting Nursing and Health Technician Students' Satisfaction with Distance Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Morocco: A Survey-Based Observational Study
Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions, 17 October 2022 
This article aims to determine the satisfaction levels of nursing and health technician students in Morocco with distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Palestine

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COVID-19 Vaccines and Epidemic Trends of COVID- 19 in Palestine Running Title: COVID- 19 Trends in Palestine 
Israa University Journal of Applied Sciences, 1 October 2022 
This article aims to determine the growth rate of COVID-19 in Palestine, as well as to compare the rates in the pre- and post-vaccination periods.

Feelings of Polish and Palestinian Students after Receiving Vaccinations against COVID-19
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21 October 2022 
This article studies the opinions of Polish and Palestinian students after receiving vaccinations against COVID-19 and shows that almost 50% of research participants from both countries believe that vaccines are an effective antidote to the pandemic situation.

Qatar

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Cardiovascular Risks and Outcome in COVID-19 Positive Patients with Cardiovascular Disease Attending Primary Health Care Corporation in Qatar: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Mayo Clinic Proceedings Journal, 1 October 2022 
This article aims to report whether cardiovascular diseases increase the risk for hospitalization and further complications in COVID-19 patients in Qatar.

Protective Effect of Previous SARS-CoV-2 Infection against Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 Subvariants
New England Journal of Medicine, 27 October 2022 
This article shows that the protection of a previous COVID-19 infection against reinfection with a BA.4 or BA.5 subvariant was lower than that against reinfection with a BA.1 or BA.2 subvariant because of more waning of immune protection over time and a greater capacity for immune-system evasion with the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.

Saudi Arabia

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Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Contact Lens Use and Practices in Saudi Arabia – A Cross Sectional Study
Sapporo Medical Journal, September 2022 
This article aims to assess the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on contact lens wear and usage in Saudi Arabia.

Awareness of Smell Exercise after Smell Dysfunction Related to COVID-19 in Alahsaa, Saudi Arabia
Archives of Otolaryngology and Rhinology, 21 September 2022 
This article aims to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19-related anosmia, hyposmia, and parosmia in Alahssa, Saudi Arabia and to establish the level of awareness of smell exercises there.

Experience of Nursing Interns during COVID-19 in Taif University, Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, October 2022 
This article aims to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nursing students in Taif, Saudi Arabia, during their interns at hospitals and how they dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Logistic regression analysis for studying the impact of home quarantine on psychological health during COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia
Alexandria Engineering Journal, October 2022 
This article uses multiple logistic regression model (MLR) to identify the impact of home quarantine on psychological stability of individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia.

Soccer-Related Injuries Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Lockdown in Saudi Arabia: An Epidemiological Study
The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 7 October 2022 
This article examines the number and nature of soccer injuries per thousand hours of exposure pre and post the COVID-19 lockdown in Saudi Arabia.

Impact of Social Determinants on COVID-19 Infections: A Comprehensive Study from Saudi Arabia Governorates
Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 7 October 2022 
This article identifies the main factors affecting the variations between KSA governorates in the cumulative number of COVID-19 infections.

Knowledge of COVID-19 and Its Treatment Among Healthcare Worker in Al-Ahsa Region of Saudi Arabia
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 11 October 2022 
This article assesses the knowledge find of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia’s eastern region about the COVID-19 in terms of its symptoms, transmission, and treatment.

The Association Between Hair Loss and COVID-19: The Impact of Hair Loss After COVID-19 Infection on the Quality of Life Among Residents in Saudi Arabia
Cureus, 13 October 2022 
This article explores the prevalence of hair loss among recovered COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia and to determine the contributing factors. It also measures the impact of hair loss after COVID-19 on patients’ quality of life.

Challenges and Barriers to E-Learning Experienced by Trainers and Training Coordinators in the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 Crisis
PLOS One, 17 October 2022 
This article explores the challenges of and barriers to e-learning experienced by trainers and training coordinators in the Saudi Ministry of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health Economic Burden of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia
Frontiers in Public Health, 20 October 2022 
This article provides real-world data on the health economic burden of COVID-19 on the Saudi health sector and assesses the direct medical costs associated with the management of COVID-19 in the Kingdom.

Predictors of Illness Severity in COVID-19 Cases in Saudi Arabia
Infection and Drug Resistance, 21 October 2022 
This article describes the clinical and epidemiological features of COVID-19 cases in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and identifies factors associated with the severity of the illness.

Nutritional Behaviour of Adolescents and the Impact of COVID-19 on a Diet in Saudi Arabia
Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science, 26 October 2022 
This article aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, behavior and dietary patterns of adolescents and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic related restrictions on these behaviors in Saudi Arabia.

Public Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination among Residents of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Online Study 
BMJ Open, 31 October 2022 
This article measures the public acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccinations among residents of Saudi Arabia and explores the factors that may play an important role in increasing the acceptance of vaccinations in future pandemics.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Anxiety and Depression among Physical Therapists in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
BMC Medical Education, November 2022 
This article reports the results of a survey conducted on physical therapists in Saudi Arabia to assess their level of anxiety and depression due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It finds that 63% and 55.5% of the studied therapists reported having symptoms of anxiety and depression, respectively.

Somalia

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Loss of Taste and Smell are Common Clinical Characteristics of Patients with COVID-19 in Somalia: A Retrospective Double Centre Study
Infection and Drug Resistance, 21 October 2022 
This article identifies the common clinical presentations and the evidence on the presence of ageusia and anosmia as emerging COVID-19 symptom to better inform COVID-19 patients and clinicians in Somalia.

Sudan

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Spatial–Temporal Trends of COVID-19 Infection and Mortality in Sudan
Scientific Reports, 7 October 2022 
This article reports the findings of a national descriptive study implemented to present the infection and mortality rates of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sudan.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Acceptance Regarding COVID-19 Vaccines in Sudan
Frontiers in Public Health, 10 October 2022 
This article assesses the behavior of health workers, medical students, and the general public in Sudan regarding COVID-19 vaccines and identifies  the determinants of their behavior and the factors increasing vaccine acceptance among them.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Labour Market in Sudan
Economic Research Forum, 25 October 2022 
This article draws on survey evidence of how Sudan’s labor market has fared during the COVID-19 pandemic and makes recommendations for policies to respond to the economic damage to households and firms.

The characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 among diabetic patients in Wad-Medani isolation center from September to December 2020: A cross-sectional study
Health Science Reports, 31 October 2022 
This article evaluates the characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 among diabetic patients in Sudan.

Syria

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Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to COVID-19 Infection, Related Behavior, Antibiotics Usage, and Resistance among Syrian Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Health Science Reports, 3 October 2022
This article evaluates the Syrian population’s knowledge of, attitudes toward, and practice around the use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Power Dynamics and Health Initiative Design as Determinants of Peacebuilding: A Case Study of the Syrian Conflict 
BMJ Global Health, 9 October 2022 
This article examines the role that existing power structures and health initiative characteristics play at various levels of a conflict in peacebuilding outcomes in the contexts of the Syrian war and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commitment to Protective Measures during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Syria: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study
PLOS One, 14 October 2022 
This article aims to evaluate the extent to which the Syrian population adheres to precautionary infection control measures and analyze the relationship between demographic variables and adherence in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Down Syndrome Outreach during the COVID-19 Pandemic – An Interprofessional Zoom® WhatsApp® Collaboration in Syria
Journal of Pediatric Healthcare, 16 October 2022 
This article reflects on the experience of children with Down Syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic given that they face increased risks of severe outcomes of the disease (e.g., respiratory symptoms, fever, and several medical complications).

Tunisia

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Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Health Care Workers in Tunisia
Research Square, 19 October 2022 
This working paper assesses the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Tunisia’s health care workers' work, psychological outcomes, and return to work indicators.

Compassion Fatigue among Frontline Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Tunisia
PLOS One, 27 October 2022 
This article measures compassion satisfaction (CS) and compassion fatigue (CF) levels and their predictors among Tunisian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

UAE

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Parents’ Views on the Acceptability of a COVID-19 Vaccine for Their Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Abu Dhabi-United Arab Emirates
Hayat Biotech, October 2022 
This article assesses the views of parents in the UAE on the acceptability of vaccines against COVID-19 for their children.

Psychological Distress among the Nursing Workforce in the United Arab Emirates: Comparing Levels before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Nursing Forum, 9 October 2022 
This article aims to determine the level of generalized psychological distress among nurses in the United Arab Emirates comparatively before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coinfections in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19: A Descriptive Study from the United Arab Emirates
Infection and Drug Resistance, 21 October 2022 
This article aims to characterize the clinical and microbiological profiles of coinfections in patients with COVID-19 in the UAE.

Yemen

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Psychologists’ Perspective of Mental Health in Yemen during the Civil War and COVID-19: A Qualitative Inquiry
Current Psychology, 14 October 2022 
This article examines the current state of psychological problems from the perspectives of psychologists and psychiatrists in Yemen in light of the ongoing civil war and the COVID-19 pandemic.