Mediterranean Journal of Emergency Medicine & Acute Care

Background: In the field of scientific research, it is well recognized that the starting point for such efforts necessitates a proper and thorough literature search using reliable databases. Objectives: The aim of this article is to present future researchers with a guide that provides a well-defined set of search terms (MeSH terms and keywords) for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the Arab world, and countries within them. Methods: Selecting the proper search terms for the 26 countries and COVID-19 required a systematic approach for building a search strategy. MeSH and keyword searching was initially conducted in Medline (OVID) and replicated in PubMed. Discussion: Based on the described methodology, we extracted and compiled an extensive and comprehensive collection of search terms pertaining to the countries of the Arab world, MENA region, and COVID-19. Conclusions: This guide will facilitate conducting systematic and scoping reviews, using Medline (OVID) and PubMed, on medical and health topics including COVID-19 as an example. It acts as a reference that includes the appropriate terms to conduct a literature search, facilitates the search process, and ensures its breadth and completeness.