The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination psychological antecedent assessment using the Arabic 5c validated tool: An online survey in 13 Arab countries

Background Following the emergency approval of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, research into its vaccination hesitancy saw a substantial increase. However, the psychological behaviors associated with this hesitancy are still not completely understood. This study assessed the psychological antecedents associated with COVID-19 vaccination in the Arab population. Methodology The validated Arabic version of the 5C questionnaire was distributed online across various social media platforms in Arabic-speaking countries. The questionnaire had three sections, namely, socio-demographics, COVID-19 related infection and vaccination, and the 5C scale of vaccine psychological antecedents of confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility. Results In total, 4,474 participants with a mean age of 32.48 ± 10.76 from 13 Arab countries made up the final sample, 40.8% of whom were male. Around 26.7% of the participants were found to be confident about the COVID-19 vaccination, 10.7% indicated complacency, 96.5% indicated they had no constraints, 48.8% had a preference for calculation and 40.4% indicated they had collective responsibility. The 5C antecedents varied across the studied countries with the confidence and collective responsibility being the highest in the United Arab Emirates (59.0% and 58.0%, respectively), complacency and constraints in Morocco (21.0% and 7.0%, respectively) and calculation in Sudan (60.0%). The regression analyses revealed that sex, age, educational degrees, being a health care professional, history of COVID-19 infection and having a relative infected or died from COVID-19 significantly predicted the 5C psychological antecedents by different degrees. Conclusion There are wide psychological antecedent variations between Arab countries, and different determinants can have a profound effect on the COVID-19 vaccine’s psychological antecedents.

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Psychological antecedents towards COVID-19 vaccination using the Arabic 5C validated tool: An online study in 13 Arab countries

10.1101/2021.08.31.21262917 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marwa Shawky Abdou ◽

Khalid A Kheirallah ◽

Maged Ossama Aly ◽

Ahmed Mohamed Ramadan ◽

Yasir Ahmed Mohammed Elhadi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United Arab Emirates ◽

Scientific Literature ◽

Collective Responsibility ◽

Arab Countries ◽

The Novel ◽

Arab Population ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Online Study ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Arabic Speaking

Background and aim: Following emergency approval of vaccines, the amount of scientific literature investigating population hesitancy towards vaccination against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has increased exponentially. Nevertheless, the associated psychological behaviors with this phenomenon are still not clearly understood. This study aims to assess the psychological antecedents of the Arab population toward COVID-19 vaccines. Methods: A cross-sectional, online study using a validated Arabic version of the 5C questionnaire was conducted through different media platforms in different Arabic-speaking countries. The questionnaire included three sections: socio-demographics, COVID-19 related questions, and the 5C scale of vaccine psychological antecedents, namely confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility. Results: A total of 4,474 participants, 40.8% males from 13 Arab countries were included in the study. About 26.7% of participants had confidence in COVID-19 vaccination, 10.7% had complacency, 96.5% had no constraints, 48.8% had calculation and 40.4% had collective responsibility. The 5C antecedents showed variation among countries with confidence and collective responsibility being higher in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (59% and 58%, respectively), complacency and constraints were higher in Morocco (21% and 7%, respectively) and calculation was higher in Sudan (60%). Regression analysis revealed that sex, age, educational degrees, being a health care professional, getting a COVID-19 infection, having a relative infected or died from COVID-19 can affect the 5C psychological antecedents by different degrees. Conclusion and recommendations: Wide variations of psychological antecedents between Arab countries exist. Different determinants can affect vaccine psychological antecedents.

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Determining the cutoff points of the 5C scale for assessment of COVID-19 vaccines psychological antecedents among the Arab population: A multinational study

10.1101/2021.03.27.21254461 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ramy Ghazy ◽

Samar Abd ElHafeez ◽

Ramy Shaban ◽

Iffat Elbarazi ◽

Marwa Shawky Abdou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United Arab Emirates ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

Collective Responsibility ◽

Arab Countries ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Roc Curve Analysis ◽

Arab Population ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cutoff Points ◽

The Mean

Background: One of the newly faced challenges during the COVID-19 is vaccine hesitancy (VH). The validated 5C scale, which assesses five psychological antecedents of vaccination, could be effective in exploring COVID-19 VH. This study aimed to determine a statistically valid cutoff point for the 5C sub-scales among the Arab population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 446 subjects from three Arab countries (Egypt, United Arab Emirates UAE, and Jordan). Information regarding sociodemographics, clinical history, COVID-19 infection and vaccination history, and 5C scale were collected online. The 5C scores were analyzed to define the cutoff points using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and to verify the capability of the questionnaire to differentiate whether responders are hesitant or non-hesitant to accept vaccination. ROC curve analysis was conducted setting for previous vaccine administration as a response, with the predictors being the main five domains of the 5C questionnaire. The mean score of each sub-scale was compared with COVID-19 vaccine intake Results: The mean age of the studied population was 37+11, 42.9% were males, 44.8% from Egypt, 21.1% from Jordan, and 33.6% from UAE. Statistically significant differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated participants, respectively, were detetd in the median score of confidence [6.0(1.3) versus 4.7(2.0)], complacency [(2.7(2.0) versus 3.0(2.0), constraints [1.7(1.7) versus 3.7(2.3)], and collective responsibility [6.7(1.7) versus 5.7(1.7)]. The area under the curve of the five scales was 0.72, 0.60, 0.76, 0.66, 0.66 for confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility at cutoff values of 5.7, 4.7, 6.0, 6.3, and 6.2, respectively. Conclusion the Arabic validated version of the 5C scale has a good discriminatory power to predict COVID-19 vaccines antecedent.

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Determining the Cutoff Points of the 5C Scale for Assessment of COVID-19 Vaccines Psychological Antecedents among the Arab Population: A Multinational Study

Journal of Primary Care & Community Health ◽

10.1177/21501327211018568 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 215013272110185

Author(s):

Ramy Mohamed Ghazy ◽

Samar Abd ElHafeez ◽

Ramy Shaaban ◽

Iffat Elbarazi ◽

Marwa Shawky Abdou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United Arab Emirates ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

Collective Responsibility ◽

Arab Countries ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Roc Curve Analysis ◽

Arab Population ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cutoff Points ◽

The Mean

Background One of the newly faced challenges during the COVID-19 is vaccine hesitancy (VH). The validated 5C scale, that assesses 5 psychological antecedents of vaccination, could be effective in exploring COVID-19 VH. This study aimed to determine a statistically valid cutoff points for the 5C sub-scales among the Arab population. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 446 subjects from 3 Arab countries (Egypt, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Jordan). Information regarding sociodemographics, clinical history, COVID-19 infection and vaccination history, and 5C scale were collected online. The 5C scores were analyzed to define the cutoff points using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and to verify the capability of the questionnaire to differentiate whether responders are hesitant or non-hesitant to accept vaccination. ROC curve analysis was conducted for previous vaccine administration as a response, with the predictors being the main 5 domains of the 5C questionnaire. The mean score of each sub-scale was compared with COVID-19 vaccine intake. Results The mean age of the studied population was 37 ± 11, 42.9% were males, 44.8% from Egypt, 21.1% from Jordan, and 33.6% from the UAE. Statistically significant differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated participants, respectively, were detected in the median score of confidence [6.0(1.3) versus 4.7(2.0)], complacency [(2.7(2.0) versus 3.0(2.0)], constraints [1.7(1.7) versus 3.7(2.3)], and collective responsibility [6.7(1.7) versus 5.7(1.7)]. The area under the curve of the 5 scales was 0.72, 0.60, 0.76, 0.66, 0.66 for confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility at cutoff values of 5.7, 4.7, 6.0, 6.3, and 6.2, respectively. Conclusion The Arabic validated version of the 5C scale has a good discriminatory power to predict COVID-19 vaccines antecedent.

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Positive Religious Coping and Mental Health among Christians and Muslims in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Religions ◽

10.3390/rel11100498 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 498

Author(s):

Justin Thomas ◽

Mariapaola Barbato

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Religious Coping ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Online Survey ◽

Psychological Disorders ◽

Control Measures ◽

Psychological Disorder ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

History Of ◽

Positive Religious Coping

Positive religious coping has frequently been associated with better mental health outcomes when dealing with stressful life events (e.g., natural disasters, domestic abuse, divorce). The COVID-19 pandemic, and the associated infection prevention and control measures (curfew, quarantine, restricted travel, social distancing), represent a society-wide stressor. This study explored positive religious coping among the Muslim and Christian residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the early stages of the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants (N = 543) completed an online survey assessing religious coping in response to the pandemic, along with symptom measures of depression, anxiety and history of psychological disorder. Muslims (N = 339) reported significantly higher levels of positive religious coping compared to their Christian counterparts (N = 204). Across the whole sample, positive religious coping was inversely related to having a history of psychological disorders. Among the Muslim cohort, positive religious coping was inversely related to depressive symptoms and having a history of psychological disorders. Positive religious coping during infectious disease outbreaks may help some individuals reduce their risk of depressive illness. National pandemic preparedness plans may benefit from including a focus on religion and religious coping.

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Depression-anxiety in Adult Population of Qatar during the First Year of COVID-19

10.29117/quarfe.2021.0177 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Salma Mawfek Khaled ◽

Iman Amro ◽

Lina Bader ◽

Tarek Bellaj ◽

Yousri Marzouki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Online Survey ◽

Adult Population ◽

First Year ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Never Married ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

History Of ◽

Adjusted Model ◽

Arabic Speaking

There is limited data from Arabic-speaking countries on risk factors for depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Country-specific data is necessary given differences in culture, demographics, and COVID-19 infection and mortality rates. This study intended to identify the factors associated with symptoms of depression-anxiety in the adult population of Qatar during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey in Qatar between July and December 2020 after Qatar’s first COVID-19 wave and before the beginning of the second wave. Depression-anxiety was defined as a cut-off of 20 or higher on the PHQ-ADS scale. Of 1138 participants, 71.05% were female, 69.0% Arabs, and 70.0% Non-Qataris. 77 % were < 40 years (the median age in Qatar is 32 years). In a fully-adjusted model, six variables were significantly associated with PHQ-ADS; Arab ethnicity (OR=1.67, p=0.026), never married (OR=1.69, p < 0.015), prior psychiatric history (OR=1.80, p=0.009), Social Media induced worries (OR=1.72, p=0.003), history of COVID-19 (OR=1.76, p=0.039), loneliness (OR=1.91, p < 0.001), and lower levels of religiosity (OR=0.96, p=0.039). The potential risk factors identified may assist with anxiety and depression prevention in future COVID-19 waves, similar national events and assist with early intervention to treat sufferers.

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Kepentingan Negara-Negara Arab (Uni Emirat Arab, Bahrain, Sudan dan Maroko) Melakukan Normalisasi Hubungan dengan Israel

Jurnal Mandala : Jurnal Ilmu Hubungan Internasional ◽

10.33822/mjihi.v4i1.2673 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 67-84

Author(s):

Yulia Rimapradesi ◽

Ahmad Sahide

Keyword(s):

United Arab Emirates ◽

Research Method ◽

Qualitative Method ◽

The United States ◽

Arab Countries ◽

Diplomatic Relations ◽

Donald Trump ◽

The Past ◽

History Of ◽

Arab States

Arab states and Israel has for decades had dividing wall for diplomatic relations. The existence of ideological differences between Islam and Judaism as well as a long history of colonialism and conflict makes it difficult to unravel the conflict between of them. However, this seems to change, towards the end of 2020 with the encouragement of Donald Trump as president of the United States. Arab countries seem to forgot the events of the past and break up the wall that previously served as a barrier between them and Israel. The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco has reasons what they thinks are rationality that their initial stance in favor of Palestinian independence seems to be waning. This paper discuss about the interests of the Arab states in the the normalization of their relationship with Israel. The research method in this paper is qualitative method with inductive analysis with the latest data from various document sources as material for analysis. This paper concludes the interests of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco are dominated by security and the economy for their countries.

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Arabic Language Arts Standards: Revolution or Disruption?

Research in Comparative and International Education ◽

10.1177/1745499918807032 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 551-569 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hanada T. Thomure ◽

Richard B. Speaker

Keyword(s):

Language Arts ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Online Survey ◽

English Language ◽

Arabian Gulf ◽

Arabic Language ◽

Language Instruction ◽

Arab Countries ◽

Language Resources ◽

Gulf Region

Textbooks are major organizers of Arabic language instruction in most Arab countries (Faour, 2012). Textbooks approved by ministries of education have traditionally guided teaching of content knowledge, skills, and values to be taught at each grade level (Faour, 2012; Sabella, 2014; Taha-Thomure, 2008). This research is a foundation study into the use of Arabic Language Arts (ALA) standards in six schools in three countries in the Arabian Gulf region (Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates). Fifty-eight teachers used the ALA standards adapted from the Ohio English Language Arts standards (Taha, 2017a) for at least one year. Results of the online survey indicated that 83.5% of teachers found the standards had a positive effect on their teaching, while 94.9% of teachers found that the standards helped them collaborate with each other in planning and finding suitable resources to use. This suggests that well-supported innovations can lead to teachers being aware of and using ALA to improve student learning and instruction. Results also highlight some of the challenges teachers faced to find the necessary Arab language resources that will help them implement a standards-based approach, in addition to the amount of time they needed to put into preparing for the lessons.

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Hesitancy of Arab Healthcare Workers towards COVID-19 Vaccination: A Large-Scale Multinational Study

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9050446 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 446

Author(s):

Eyad Qunaibi ◽

Iman Basheti ◽

Mohamed Soudy ◽

Iyad Sultan

Keyword(s):

Role Models ◽

Large Scale ◽

Online Survey ◽

Arab World ◽

Arab Countries ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Vaccine Type ◽

Arabic Speaking

Background: Health care workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of acquiring and transmitting COVID-19 infection. Moreover, they present role models for communities with regards to attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination. Hence, hesitancy of HCWs towards vaccination can crucially affect the efforts aiming to contain the pandemic. Previously published studies paid little attention to HCWs in Arab countries, which have a population of over 440 million. Objectives: To assess the rates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Arabic-speaking HCWs residing in and outside Arab countries, and their perceived barriers towards vaccination. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on an online survey was conducted from 14–29 January 2021, targeting Arabic-speaking HCWs from all around the world. Results: The survey recruited 5708 eligible participants (55.6% males, 44.4% females, age 30.6 ± 10 years) from 21 Arab countries (87.5%) and 54 other countries (12.5%). Our analysis showed a significant rate of vaccine hesitancy among Arabic-speaking HCWs residing in and outside of Arab countries (25.8% and 32.8%, respectively). The highest rates of hesitancy were among participants from the western regions of the Arab world (Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria). The most cited reasons for hesitancy were concerns about side effects and distrust of the expedited vaccine production and healthcare policies. Factors associated with higher hesitancy included age of 30–59, previous or current suspected or confirmed COVID-19, female gender, not knowing the vaccine type authorized in the participant’s country, and not regularly receiving the influenza vaccine. Conclusion: This is the first large-scale multinational post-vaccine-availability study on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among HCWs. It reveals high rates of hesitancy among Arab-speaking HCWs. Unless addressed properly, this hesitancy can impede the efforts for achieving widespread vaccination and collective immunity.

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Hesitancy of Arab Healthcare Workers Towards COVID-19 Vaccination: A Large-Scale Multinational Study

10.20944/preprints202104.0236.v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Eyad Qunaibi ◽

Iman Basheti ◽

Mohamed Soudy ◽

Iyad Sultan

Keyword(s):

Role Models ◽

Large Scale ◽

Online Survey ◽

Arab World ◽

Arab Countries ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Vaccine Type ◽

Arabic Speaking

Background: Health Care Workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of acquiring and transmitting COVID-19 infection. Also, they present role models for communities with regards to attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination. Hence, hesitancy of HCWs towards vaccination can crucially affect the efforts aiming to contain the pandemic. Previously published studies paid little attention to HCWs in Arab countries, which has a population of over 440 million. Objectives: to assess the rates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Arabic-speaking HCWs residing in and outside the Arab countries, and their perceived barriers towards vaccination. Methods: a cross-sectional study based on an online survey was conducted from 14-Jan 2021 to 29-Jan 2021, targeting Arabic-speaking HCWs from all around the world. Results: the survey recruited 5,708 eligible participants (55.6% males, 44.4% females, age 30.6±10 years) from 21 Arab countries (87.5%) and 54 other countries (12.5%). Our analysis shows a significant rate of vaccine hesitancy among Arabic-speaking HCWs residing in and outside Arab countries (25.8% and 32.8%, respectively). The highest rates of hesitancy were among participants from the west region of the Arab world (Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria). The most cited reasons for hesitancy were concerns about side effects and distrust in vaccine expedited production and healthcare policies. Factors associated with higher hesitancy included age of 30-59, previous or current suspected or confirmed COVID-19, female gender, not knowing the vaccine type authorized in the participant’s country, and not regularly receiving the influenza vaccine. Conclusion: this is the first large-scale, multinational, post-vaccine-availability study on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among HCWs. It reveals high rates of hesitancy among Arab-speaking HCWs. Unless addressed properly, this hesitancy can impede the efforts for achieving widespread vaccination and collective immunity.

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