f rom the viewpoint of economic theories, total factor productivity (tfp) is the most important component that leads to economic growth and development. the main purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of knowledge-based economy on total factor productivity in the member countries of the middle east and north africa (mena) region. for this purpose, the panel data regression analysis ha...

BACKGROUND The epidemiology of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is not well characterized despite increasing recognition of its expanding infection and disease burden in recent years. METHODOLOGY / PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Following Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and reporting our findings following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed records describ...

The mere association of the words sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS, and sexuality, to Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in any discussion, social or academic, seems to elicit heated debates and controversy. The MENA region is, in the minds of many, an area where socio-cultural sensitivities surrounding sex and disease still abound. Are there HIV epidemics shrouded be...

BACKGROUND In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), hepatitis C virus (HCV) distribution appears to present a wide range of prevalence. The scale and nature of HCV disease burden is poorly known in the Horn of Africa sub-region of MENA including Djibouti, Somalia, and Sudan in addition to Yemen at the southwest corner of the Arabian Peninsula. The aim of this review is to provide a systemati...

Escalating obesity rates have become a significant public health problem in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and have been associated with shifts towards a westernized diet. This integrative review aimed to examine the current dietary trends and transitions and their association with obesity in Arabic-speaking countries of the MENA region. Relevant databases were searched for stud...

Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) populations are of different ethnic origins. Consanguineous marriages are common practice with an overall incidence ranging between 20 and 50%. Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) are a group of heterogeneous genetic disorders caused by defects in the immune system that predisposes patients to recurrent infections, autoimmune diseases, and maligna...

BACKGROUND Dengue virus (DENV) infection is widespread and its disease burden has increased in past decades. However, little is known about the epidemiology of dengue in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). METHODOLOGY / PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Following Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and reporting our findings following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed available records across...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of social media in communication discourse in the Islamic Middle East and North African (MENA) countries. Design/methodology/approach – By applying the theory of social networks and a method known as critical discourse analysis (CDA) this study investigates the role of social media in the recent waves of popular unrest in the MENA r...

BACKGROUND The existence of publicly-accessible datasets comprised a significant opportunity for health services research to evolve into a science that supports health policy making and evaluation, proper inter- and intra-organizational decisions and optimal clinical interventions. This paper investigated the role of publicly-accessible datasets in the enhancement of health care systems in the ...

BACKGROUND The meningococcal serogroup A (MenA) polysaccharide conjugate vaccine used in Sub-Saharan Africa does not prevent disease caused by MenW or MenX strains, which also cause epidemics in the region. We investigated the vaccine-potential of native outer membrane vesicles with over-expressed factor H-binding protein (NOMV-fHbp), which targeted antigens in African meningococcal strains, an...