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BACKGROUND: The traditional Moroccan diet is typical of the Mediterranean diet (MD), but there have been few studies of the adherence of Moroccans adolescents to this diet and associated factors. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate MD adherence and its association with socioeconomic factors, nutritional status and dietary intake in a sample of secondary school pupils in the Rif region of Morocco. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of a sample (n = 302) of Moroccan Riffian adolescents (13–18 years) from three secondary schools, we measured adherence to MD with the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and teenagers questionnaire (KIDMED). A score below 8 was qualified as poor to average adherence to MD, while an optimal adherence was defined as a score of 8 or higher. Bivariate analyses and a logistic regression model were used to examine associations between adherence to MD and socioeconomic factors, nutritional status and dietary intake. RESULTS: Only 14.9% of adolescents had an optimal adherence to the MD (score≥8 points), 72.8% had average adherence (score 4–7) and 12.3% had poor adherence to the MD (score≤3). The factors associated with optimal adherence to MD were female sex (OR 2.28; 95% CI 1.07 –4.85; p = 0.031), high monthly family income > 8000 MAD (OR 7.10; 95% CI 1.52 –33.1; p = 0.013) and living in an apartment (OR 3.85; 95% CI 1.43 –10.3; p = 0.007). For others factors such as nutritional status and dietary intake, no associations were observed. CONCLUSION: We found a low level of adherence to the MD among adolescents in the Rif region, supporting the hypothesis that the dietary pattern of these Moroccan adolescents is in a transitional state characterised by a shift away from the traditional MD. The findings of this study suggest that interventions to optimize MD adherence should target boys, shared residences and lower income families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Improving access to sexual and reproductive health remains a public health challenge, especially for women, whose access is affected by several determinants, such as gender inequality, which is the underlying barrier to all other determinants. Many actions have been carried out, but much remains to be done before all women and girls can exercise their rights. This study aimed to explore how gender norms influence access to sexual and reproductive health services. Method: A qualitative study was conducted from November 2021 to July 2022. The inclusion criteria were women and men aged over 18 years old, living in the urban and rural areas of the Marrakech-Safi region in Morocco. A purposive sampling method was used to select participants. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews and focus groups with selected participants. The data were coded and classified using thematic content analysis. Results: The study highlighted inequitable, restrictive gender norms that lead to stigmatization and affect the sexual and reproductive healthcare-seeking behavior and access of girls and women in the Marrakech-Safi region. These most common gender norms for women include parental refusal, stigmatization, and social exclusion of girls from sexual and reproductive health education services; strong decision-making power of family members over contraceptive use and women's adherence to pregnancy monitoring and access to supervised delivery; and culturally constructed role allocation, assigning a reproductive role to women and making them responsible for the health of new-borns. Conclusion: Sexual and reproductive health projects must strive to be gender sensitive. Gender-blind projects are missed opportunities to improve health outcomes and advance gender equality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Inadequate nutrient intakes in adolescents may negatively affect their future health. The identification of inadequate micronutrient intakes by dietary study provides essential information to guide educational strategies for promoting healthy eating habits. OBJECTIVE: To assess the daily micronutrient intake and the prevalence of inadequacy in a sample of middle and high-school pupils in the Rif region of Morocco. METHODS: A cross-sectional study collected dietary information from food records over three non-consecutive days in a sample (n = 302) of Moroccan Riffian adolescents (12–18 years). The DIAL software, adapted for commonly eaten Moroccan foods, was used to estimate micronutrient intakes. The proportion of individuals with intakes below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) or the Adequate Intake (AI) level and the probability approach were used to estimate the prevalence of inadequacy. RESULTS: Regardless of gender and age group, our subjects were found to be particularly at risk of inadequate intakes of vitamins E and D, calcium and potassium. Older adolescents (14–18 years) also showed a risk of inadequate intake of folate, biotin, magnesium, iodine and zinc (among boys). CONCLUSION: For many nutrients, the daily diets of our Riffian adolescents do not meet the recommended intake levels. We emphasize the need for monitoring the dietary habits of adolescents and the development of nutrition education programs. Further studies which include the clinical and biological assessment of nutritional status, as well as the regular collection of quality and nationally representative micronutrient data, are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The traditional knowledge on wild edible plants has been shown in many studies a worrying decline throughout the last few decades. Therefore, the first aim of this study was to document the population knowledge on wild edible plants among the Messiwa people. The second objective was to assess the traditional knowledge of our informants according to their socio-economic status. Methods: The survey was conducted among 149 informants through a semi-structured questionnaire. The relative importance of the plants was obtained by calculating the relative frequency of citation (RFC) for each species. To compare means, we used Student's t test for two-group comparisons and Snedecor's F-test for multi-group comparisons. The multi-range Duncan test was used for multiple mean comparisons. The correspondence factor analysis (CFA) was also used. Results: A set of 64 species belonging to 56 genera from 34 families has been collected and identified. The species used for nutritional and medicinal purposes represent 56%, while 44% were used exclusively as nutritional plants. The most used parts are, respectively, the aerial parts (58%), the fruits (17%), the underground parts (13%), the seeds (8%), and finally the flowers (5%). On the other hand, the higher level of knowledge on wild edible plants was found among women, the elderly, illiterate, married people, and those engaged in agricultural occupations. Conclusion: This work could be a basis to be reproduced on other regions in Morocco and to be widened through pharmacological and nutritional studies in order to promote and valorize these wild edible plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monkeypox is a zoonosis engendered by large DNA monkeypox virus, variola virus of poxviridae family. There are similarities in symptoms with smallpox but are milder in nature among monkeypox with the presence of lymphadenopathy. The incubation period is usually seven to 14 days but can prolong up to 21 days. As of June 17, 2022, there are 575 confirmed cases in United Kingdom, 497 in Spain, 338 in Germany, 276 in Portugal, 183 in France, 167 in Canada, 113 in United States of America, 95 in Netherlands, 71 in Italy, five in Israel, and one in Morocco. In response to the high risk of outbreak in Morocco, the Moroccan Ministry of Health and Social Protection has adopted the national monkeypox surveillance and response plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of menarcheal age, menstrual hygiene and their associated socio-demographic factors in girls with Down syndrome (DS) in Morocco. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2014 and November 2017, including 59 parents/guardians of girls with Down syndrome aged 9–32 years. Data were collected through a standardized questionnaire providing information about socio-demographic and cultural conditions of parents, nutritional status and some functional abilities of girls. The median age at menarche was estimated using retrospective and status-quo methods, respectively. Data were entered and analyzed using the statistical program SPSS statistics software for Windows (version 20.0). Chi-square (χ2) and Mann–Whitney tests were used for testing statistical significance. The age at menarche ranged from 9 to 16 years old. The median was 13.0 (IQR, 11.0–14.0) years. The median age of menarche by probit analysis was 12.55 years. The relationship between menarcheal age, menstrual hygiene and the selected parameters showed a significant difference in age at menarche only regarding the parameter of number of siblings (Z = 2.14; p =.03), and in menstrual hygiene regarding mother's level of education, family size and age of talking (χ2 = 5.04, p =.02; χ2 = 3.75, p =.05 and χ2 = 4.99, p =.02, respectively). Most girls with DS attain menarche at the usual age as their counterparts in the general population and do not have enough knowledge about menstruation. Mobilization of all interventionists is urgent to develop adolescent skills about practices related to menstruation and menstrual hygiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a combination of a multicriteria decision‐making (MCDM) technique and geographic information system (GIS) is established to identify the most appropriate sites for the installation of large‐scale concentrated solar power (CSP) plants in the Marrakech‐Safi region located in mid‐south Morocco. For this purpose, numerous criteria affecting its deployment, such as climate, orography, location, and water resources, are taken into account. As a CSP plant requires cooling for its power block cycle, wet and dry cooling options are explored to assess the suitability of the field of study to host CSP plants with both scenarios. Results reveal that 62.4% of the study area is deemed appropriate for CSP plant hosting. Moreover, 16.1% and 7.6% of the suitable surface area is evaluated as highly suitable for wet and dry cooling systems, respectively. Nevertheless, the excellent areas represent 4.5% for both scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As the world's population ages and people live longer, it seems important to ensure that older people have a good quality of life and positive subjective well-being. The objective of this study is to determine socio-economic, health and nutritional characteristics of institutionalized and non-institutionalized elders in the province of Marrakech.Methods: This study was conducted among 368 older adults in the province of Marrakech between March 2017 and June 2019. Of all participants, 180 older adults reside in a public institution and 188 of them live in their own homes. Data on health conditions, nutritional status, functional and socio-economic characteristics were collected. Data was analyzed using SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 16.0. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.Results: Institutionalized elders were illiterate (80.0%), had low incomes (95.5%), and unmarried (73.3%), they reported also no children (56.1%) and no health insurance (98.9%). Institutional residents suffered from malnutrition (22.2%), hearing impairments (35.6%) and severe edentulism (43.3%). There was no significant difference between both groups on daily activities and depression. A multivariate analysis identified a model with three significant variables associated with non-institutionalized elders: health insurance (P = 0.001; OR = 107.49), number of children (P = 0.001; OR = 1.74) and nutritional status (p = 0.001; OR = 3.853).Conclusions: This study shows that the institutionalization of older adults is considerably induced by various factors such as nutritional problems, lack of health insurance and family structure. To mitigate the effects of this phenomenon, home care strategies and preventive actions should be implemented to delay the institutionalization of older adults and therefore keep them socially active in their own homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photovoltaic-concentrated solar power (PV-CSP) hybridization has been experienced to combine the competitive advantages of the low cost of PV systems and the high energy dispatchability of a CSP plant coupled with a thermal storage system. The objective of this paper is to implement an optimization study of the PV-CSP system under different dispatch strategies, in order to get an optimal PV-CSP configuration and strategy to cover a baseload generation taking into account the equivalent operating hours for the power block. Therefore, a model of PV-CSP plant was established and a multi-objective optimization using the genetic algorithm was adopted. The purpose of the first optimization is to minimize the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and to maximize the capacity factor simultaneously. For the second optimization, reducing the dumped energy is added as a criterion. The results obtained were presented in a Pareto frontier that shows a trade-off between the three objectives. An example of the multi-criteria decision method called the TOPSIS method was applied to choose a unique solution. The selection of the dispatch strategy is highly linked to the optimal PV-CSP configuration obtained by optimization results. In addition, the concept of equivalent operating hours is used to further the selection of the dispatch strategy. The dispatch strategy that maintains the power block operation at minimum rated power is more suitable and results in a high capacity factor, low LCOE, and low dumped energy. Furthermore, it minimizes the turbine starts and maximizes power block operating hours. The simulation model has been investigated in a case study of Midelt city in Morocco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Few studies have compared the diets of minor migrants with similar ethnic groups in the country of origin. Although Moroccans form the largest foreign population group in Spain, there is limited information on their dietary changes and the effects on nutritional status. AIM: To determine whether migration has caused changes in adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in a sample of Moroccan adolescents living in Madrid (Spain) compared with their peers in northern Morocco (Al Hoceima). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 409 Moroccan pupils, 308 living in Al Hoceima and 101 living in Madrid. Food records were compiled over three non-consecutive days by pre-trained adolescents. Energy and nutrient intakes were estimated using the DIAL software, adapted to include foods usually eaten in Morocco. Diet quality indicators studied were the Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI), caloric profile, cholesterol (mg/1000 kcal) and fibre density (g/1000 kcal). A binary logistic regression model was used to test the association between the MAI and the adolescents' geographical location and socio-economic level. RESULTS: Moroccan adolescents living in Al Hoceima were significantly 10.5 times more likely to attain a high MAI score than their peers living in Madrid. For both sexes, migration decreased significantly the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids (1.8 vs. 2.5). For boys, migrant adolescents had significantly higher daily energy (2860.9 vs. 2139.1 kcal), protein (13.9 vs. 13.2 %) and lower fibre (11.2 vs. 14.3) intakes than autochthonous adolescents. For girls, there were no significant differences. CONCLUSION: Migration can be beneficial for Moroccan migrants in terms of increased daily energy intake. However, the fact that their energy intake is increasingly provided by non-Mediterranean foods could have negative consequences for their health, with increased rates of overweight and obesity. It is essential to continue to promote the Mediterranean Diet, especially among young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: The main objective of this survey was to determine the difference between primary and secondary infertility in Morocco and the associated factors among women, who are referred to public and private health centers in Morocco. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 619 infertile women referring to public and private health centers in Marrakech-Safi region, were selected by simple random sampling method. This study was conducted between 1 October 2013 and 31 December 2015. Socio-economic status, demographic characteristics, couple's age, nutritional status and other data related to both male and female reproductive organs were collected by a questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to identify the associated factors to infertility. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: The rates of primary and secondary infertility were 67.37, and 32.63%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified a model with three significant predictive factors of secondary infertility: duration of marriage [odds ratio (OR)=12.263: 2.289-65.685], socio-economic status (OR=3.83: 1.011-14.70) and the ages of women (OR=1.268: 1.038-1.549). Conclusion: The causes of primary and secondary infertility were not always a woman's problem, but both man and woman contribute to infertility. Multiple regression analysis showed that women's age, duration of marriage, and socioeconomic status are predictive variables that decrease the chance of fertility among women with secondary infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Iodine status in populations is usually assessed by the median urinary iodine concentration (UIC). However, iodine is also excreted in breast milk during lactation; thus, breast milk iodine concentration (BMIC) may be a promising biomarker of iodine nutrition in lactating women. Whether the mammary gland can vary fractional uptake of circulating iodine in response to changes in dietary intake is unclear.Objective: We evaluated UIC and BMIC as biomarkers for iodine status in lactating women with a wide range of iodine intakes.Methods: We recruited 866 pairs of lactating mothers and exclusively breastfed infants from 3 iodine-sufficient study sites: Linfen, China (n = 386); Tuguegarao, Philippines (n = 371); and Zagreb, Croatia (n = 109). We also recruited iodine-deficient lactating women from Amizmiz, Morocco (n = 117). We collected urine and breast milk samples and measured UIC and BMIC.Results: In the 3 iodine-sufficient sites, a pooled regression analysis of the estimated iodine excretion revealed higher fractional iodine excretion in breast milk than in urine at borderline low iodine intakes. In contrast, in the iodine-deficient site in Morocco, a constant proportion (∼33%) of total iodine was excreted into breast milk.Conclusions: In iodine-sufficient populations, when iodine intake in lactating women is low, there is increased partitioning of iodine into breast milk. For this reason, maternal UIC alone may not reflect iodine status, and BMIC should also be measured to assess iodine status in lactating women. Our data suggest a BMIC reference range (2.5th and 97.5th percentiles) of 60-465 μg/kg in exclusively breastfeeding women. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02196337. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Morocco, few studies have specifically addressed the association between food variety and household socio-economic status and area of residence. Aim: The study's objective was to obtain a qualitative description of food consumption in samples of Moroccan households and to examine the influence of socio-economic factors and area of residence on their food variety. Subjects and methods: A qualitative food frequency questionnaire was administered by adolescent school pupils in their own households between March 2005 and March 2006 in 526 households in the regions of Marrakesh north of the High Atlas range and Ouarzazate to the south. We calculated the Food Variety Index (FVI) based on 183 food items and compared scores for advantaged/disadvantaged and urban/rural households. Results: Mean FVI scores for all individuals and total food groups differ significantly between the area of residence, urban and peri-urban Marrakesh and urban Ouarzazate having the highest scores. The mean total FVI scores, presented according to the household's socio-economic status from highest to lowest, are 123.8 ± 17.1 for urban Marrakesh, 107.6 ± 21.6 for urban Ouarzazate, 92.0 ± 22.4 for rural Skoura, 110.5 ± 21.5 for peri-urban Marrakesh and 89.9 ± 10.8 for rural Iguerferouane ( F-test = 26.7, p < 0.001). Advantaged households have significantly greater variety than disadvantaged households for all variables only in the two urban samples. In peri-urban Marrakesh and rural Skoura, there are no significant differences between advantaged and disadvantaged households. Conclusion: In our Moroccan sample, food variety is distributed according to two patterns: One based on area of residence, urban areas having greater variety than rural areas, and the other on socio-economic factors, with advantaged households having higher FVI values but only in urban areas. The limited availability of certain foods and food preferences by the populations mean that not all households are able to diversify their diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of obesity and overweight and their determinants among a sample of youth and adults with Down syndrome (DS) in Morocco. A retrospective survey conducted between 2014 and 2017 based on a standardized questionnaire, addressed to the parents of 264 children, adolescents and adults with DS aged from 2 to 40 years old. The classification of corpulence in children and adolescents was determined according to the WHO (2007). Chi2 (χ2) and Mann–Whitney tests were used for testing statistical significance. The overweight rate was 2 times higher in males than in females (31.7% and 16.0%, respectively). While the obesity was more than 2.5 times higher in females than in males (29.0% and 11.5%, respectively). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that none of the factors studied (sex, age, family socioeconomic level, parent's level of education, number of meals per day, physical activity) was risk factor for obesity in our population, except the behavior of eating in the absence of hunger (OR = 4.99; 95% CL: 2.51–9.90; P < 0.0001). Overweight and obesity can be considered as factors of over-handicap for this population; hence, the need of a nutritional and physical activity approach must be added to the medical and paramedical care of individuals with DS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 is a respiratory sickness that may spread between persons. It is caused by a novel coronavirus that produces an outbreak in Wuhan, China and spread all over the world to become a pandemic. From the appearance of the first case of the new coronavirus in Morocco, Moroccan authorities has spared no effort to promote the health of Moroccans, ahead of that of the country's economy. On 22 January 2021, 2 million doses, of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine were delivered to Morocco, with a view to vaccinating 1 million Moroccans in a first phase. On 28 January, the campaign started and the King of Morocco was the 1st Moroccan to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. On 27 February 2021, Morocco has received 1 million doses from the Chinese laboratory Sinopharm and 6 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine allowing Morocco to vaccinate several audiences and the general public over the age of 60, and the most vulnerable. Thereafter, the COVID-19 vaccine doses administered per 100 people in 31 March 2021 were 115.89 in Israel, 84.01 in the United Arab Emirates, 52.53 in the United Kingdom, 44.93 in the United States, 45.04 in Bahrain, 21.66 in Morocco, 16.44 in Germany, 8.32 in China, 4.72 in India, and 0.44 in South Africa. Also, the population fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in 01 April 2021 were 55.51% in Israel, 22.12% in the United Arab Emirates, 20.08% in Chile, 16.77% in USA, 15.25% in Serbia, 15.14% in Bahrain, 10.21% in Morocco, 8.94% in Hungary, 8.23% in Turkey, 7.29% in UK, 3.07% in Russia, 2.39%inBrazil, 1.70% in Uruguay, 0.70% in India, and0.45%in South Africa. This allows Morocco to figure in the top 10 countries fully vaccinated against COVID-19 despite the lack of resources and belonging to developing countries. Finally, our study gives an example to other countries to benefit from the Moroccan experience. Nevertheless, vaccination is only one element of a comprehensive COVID-19 strategy, it must be accompanied by measures to reduce circulating infection and keep them low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Morocco, the beginning of the nutritional transition is closely linked to social and economic transformations and changes in behaviour and traditional lifestyles. The objective of this study is to describe the current pattern of food consumption and the nutritional status of adolescents in the province of Ouarzazate and its association with parents' educational level. The sample comprises 327 high school students from Ouarzazate: 135 (41.3%) boys and 192 (58.7%) girls (age range 15–20 years). For both boys and girls, the results show lower height and BMI z-scores than the WHO reference values. Adolescents whose parents have a low educational level have lower height/age and BMI/age z-scores than those whose fathers have a high educational level. No differences are observed in total daily energy intake depending on fathers' educational level, but the energy provided by lipids is higher in adolescents whose fathers have a high educational background. The quality of fats consumed (MUFA+PUFA/SFA) is better among those boys whose fathers have low education, but no differences are observed for girls. The process of nutritional transition is not uniform in the sample, but depends on the socioeconomic characteristics of population groups, which include, among others, accessibility of certain food, differences in habits and lifestyles related to energy expenditure, and higher prevalence of overweight and obesity in more favoured groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer affects almost 18 million around the world in 2018, of these 9.5 million cases were in men and 8.5 million in women. COVID-19 is an acute respiratory disease caused by novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 or 2019-nCoV and was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Recently, on March 11, 2020, COVID-19 was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a virus pandemic disease. Furthermore, it has been known that the malignancy and anticancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or surgery cause systemic immunosuppressive state in patients with cancer which exposes them to infection more than others especially for COVID-19 and with a high probability of complications. Additionally, the major concern for patients with cancer is the incapacity to get fundamental medical services due to the pandemic spread. In Morocco, thanks to measures such as contamination prevention, prioritization of care, and price control of therapies, cancer patients were able to continue their treatment during the covid-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dental and periodontal diseases are a public health problem over the world, however little is known about individual characteristics or behaviors associated with self-reported oral status during pregnancy. This cross-sectional study examines the relationships between pregnancy and Dental and Periodontal Health (DPH), socio-demographic factors and DPH, and health behavioral factors and DPH. Study design: This study adopted a cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational research design to investigate the current oral health related health behavior, and socio-demographic disparities in pregnant and non-pregnant women in the MARRAKESH region in Morocco. Methods: Participants (n=539, 251 pregnant, and 288 non-pregnant women), recruited from two health centers in the Marrakesh region (urban and rural), completed questionnaires addressing: Education, economic status, dental insurance, self-reported DPH, oral hygiene practices, and dental care utilization. Results: 162 women were urban and 87 were rural in the pregnant group, while 226 women were urban vs 62 in the non-pregnant group. Also, 181 women were educated and 68 were illiterate in the pregnant group while 238 women were educated and 50 were illiterate in the non-pregnant women group. Moreover, pregnant women brush less frequently than non-pregnant women, dental visits were more important amongst non-pregnant women than pregnant women, and only 37 pregnant women visited a dentist while 82 pregnant women visited a dental quack. Conclusion: This study highlights the effect of pregnancy and sociodemographic disparities on self-reported DPH, and provides useful findings for preventive and therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: the improvement of maternal health is a health priority in many developing countries. The purpose of this study was to describe the contribution of a community project in the improvement of monitoring during pregnancy in a vulnerable rural commune in the Moroccan High Atlas. Methods: we conducted an action-research project incorporating an approach for community mobilization conducted in 2014. The project involving several participants such as social actors, local authorities, health professionals and students in medicine helped to ensure the monitoring of a cohort of 283 pregnant women. In the course of antenatal consultations, women were interviewed, assessed and participated in information sessions and education. The interviewers speaking berber were trained to data collection. Bivariate and descriptive statistical analyzes were carried out, with a threshold for significance of 5%. Results: the average age of patients was 27.1± 6.7 years. The majority of them was illiterate, without health coverage and with no career. Nearly 73.4% had no previous contact with the health care system (N = 252). Among 500 planned pregnancies, 56.6% of women were monitored, 30.4% consulted twice and 6.7% underwent three consultations out of a total of 407 antenatal consultations performed. Follow-up compliance by undergoing at least two consultations was 60.3%. Abnormality detection during pregnancy was significantly associated with monitoring (p = 0.04). Conclusion: the results reflect the importance of community engagement in the approach to complex health problems as maternal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intra-population socioeconomic changes and migration are powerful factors in changing eating habits. Changes in eating habits could affect the nutritional status, growth, development and health of adolescents. The aim of this study was to compare the diet of adolescents of Moroccan origin living in Spain with that of adolescents living in Morocco. The sample comprised 428 Moroccan adolescents aged from 12 to 19 recruited in high schools: 327 living in Ouarzazate (Morocco) and 101 living in Madrid (Spain). The variables studied were energy intake (kcal/day), diet quality indicators (adherence to the Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI); cholesterol intake (mg/day); fibre intake (g/day) and energy profile)); and indicators of keeping traditional customs (halal meat consumption, bread made at home). Teenagers from Morocco living in Madrid consumed more calories, proteins, saturated fats and simple sugars (p<0.001) than those living in Morocco. Their diet was of lower quality than that of their peers in Morocco. This difference was more marked in boys than in girls. Changes in eating habits associated with migration from the south to the north Mediterranean basin can benefit young migrants in an immediate way (through greater availability of energy and nutrients), but later in life it could have negative consequences for their health, increasing the risk of overweight, obesity and cardiovascular and metabolic problems. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Greater integration of solar energy into the worldwide energy mix is increasingly ineluctable and implies a proper site selection. Photovoltaic (PV) is economically more considerable due to its falling price, but storage issues arise with large-scale integration and might be tackled with Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) considering its thermal energy storage (TES) system. CSP + PV hybridization may constitute an optimal option for better energy dispatchability, higher capacity factors with a reduced Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE). Herein, the overarching goal is to help locating and classifying appropriate sites suited for hybrid solar plants by dint of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method associated with Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. Given that CSP operates with either dry or wet cooling systems, the current assessment regarded both configurations to generate two potential maps within Morocco. Outcomes reveal that 11.2% and 32.2% represent the field share of excellent sites to host CSP + PV plants with wet and dry cooling correspondingly. Additionally, roughly 26.53% of the total area was left out representing the restriction mask. A sensitivity analysis was subsequently conducted to examine the most and least sensitive criteria. Thereafter, a techno-economic feasibility study in a hotspot was carried out for validation purposes: yield performances and LCOE of the hybrid CSP + PV plant - with 100 MWe capacity - were evaluated. Actually, the plant using wet cooling system can produce 312 GWeh/year with an LCOE of 0.0800 $/kWh. Whereas, with a dry cooling option, the annual production is of 333 GWeh/year and the LCOE is of 0.0816 $/kWh. This paper brings a novelty: the introduction of the "Water risk index (WRI)" amongst the decision factors from a visionary viewpoint. Being the first of its kind, the present research work may provide support for scientists and policy makers to evaluate their region's suitability for CSP + PV plants. • Screening of sites for hybrid CSP + PV plants through AHP-GIS approach in Morocco. • Roughly 26.53% of the overall area was deemed inappropriate. • Assessment criteria incorporated for the first time the Water Risk Index (WRI). • 11.2% and 32.2% represent excellent ratios of wet and dry cooling respectively. • Hotspot reports LCOE of $0.0800/kWh for wet cooling versus $0.0816/kWh for dry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China and rapidly spread across the world to become the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus. As of 26 March 2020, there are 275 cases affected by COVID-19 announced by the Moroccan government, and it possible to limit the spread of this serious disease, with the cooperation of all the citizens in respect of the measures of containment and individual protection. Also, with the announce yesterday by the Moroccan government of the authorization of use of chloroquine in treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia, COVID-19 will be soon eradicated from Morocco and hopefully from all over the world [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to explore knowledge, attitude and behaviour about infertility among young people, to prevent risk factors which should threaten fertility of young people.455 non-medical and medical students participated to this study, by a simple random sampling method. Knowledge state of non-medical group about infertility management was lower than medical group. Participants of non-medical group (p = 0,041) had low knowledge about definition and causes than participants of medical group. 11,5% of female and 10,9% of male of non-medical group opted for Traditional-healer as first solution if treatment fails , none of medical group suggested this option. The first advice of respondents of non-medical was polygamy, adoption and divorce (P= 0,001). Respondents of medical (p= 0,038) had proposed to try fertility treatments more than once time if treatment fails. Government should increase efforts to improve knowledge about infertility for all scholar programs., Competing Interests: The Authors declared no conflict of interest, (African Journal of Reproductive Health © 2024.)

Objective: This study aimed to assess parental perceptions of morbidity and certain functional abilities in people with Down syndrome (DS) and their variability according to age and sex in Morocco., Material and Methods: A retrospective and analytical survey was conducted between May 2014 and November 2017, and addressed to the parents of 279 individuals with DS, including 161 boys (57.7%) aged 1-40 years. The sample was subdivised to tree age groups, children under 10 years old, adolescents aged 10-18 years and adults aged ≥ 18 years. Information about the identity of parents, age and sex of people with DS, their morbidity during the two years preceding the survey, and some functional abilities was collected. Data were entered and analyzed using the statistical program SPSS statistics software for Windows (version 20.0). Chi-square (χ2) test was used for testing statistical significance. Differences were considered significant when the p-value < 0.05. The multivariate analysis were used to identify the causes of morbidies independently associated with age and sex of child. Associations were measured in Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% Cl)., Results: The most common factors of morbidity registered in the study sample with DS, included respiratory infections, visual disturbances, oral pathologies, and cardiac problems (75.4%, 72.1%, 59.3%, and 44.9%, respectively). The hearing deficit, cardiac problems, respiratory infections, and oral pathologies showed statistically significant differences among the three age groups. According to the participants parents' perceptions, half of them (50%) were able to walk at 30 months, talk at 72 months, sit at 16 months, crawl at 16 months and eat alone at 48 months old., Conclusion: People with DS at different ages present a set of potentially treatable diseases that require multidisciplinary medical monitoring. They also need early paramedical care to improve their functional abilities., (National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: The most studied risk factors for Down Syndrom (DS) were: region of residence, exposure to chemicals, parents' education level, cigarette and alcohol use by father or mother or both, and oral contraceptive (OC) use., Objective: The aim of this study was to compare certain variables considered as risk factors on DS such as parental age at birth, OC use, child's sex, and rank of birth between children with DS and their siblings without DS as well as to determine the socio-bio-demographic characteristics of the families studied compared with the general Moroccan population., Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 277 families with 925 siblings and at least one child with DS (279 with DS) between 2014 and 2017. The data are collected using a standardized questionnaire in MarrakechSafi region. Data were entered and analyzed using the statistical program SPSS statistics software for Windows (version 20.0). Chi-square (χ2) and Student t tests were used for testing statistical significance. Differences were considered significant when the p-value <0.05., Results: The binary logistic regression analysis between DS and non-DS children in their bio-demographic characteristics studied (sex, maternal age at birth, paternal age at birth, oral contraceptive (OC) use, length of oral contraceptive use before pregnancy and rank of birth) showed that only maternal age and paternal age at birth and OC use were associated with DS birth (OR= 1.16; 95% CL: 1.11-1.21, OR= 1.05; 95%CL: 1.01-1.09 and OR= 0.01; 95%CL: 0.00-0.003, respectively). In the other hand, the comparison between socio and bio-demographic characteristics of households studied with data from National Population Survey and Family health (2018) showed a higher level of education in women and men in our sample. Similar results were shown in rate of men and women in paid employment, the rate of smoking and alcohol consumption among men and the rate of OC use before pregnancy among women., Conclusion: These results will help to sensitize the Moroccan population about risk factors for DS., (National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Introduction: The improvement of maternal health is a health priority in many developing countries. The purpose of this study was to describe the contribution of a community project in the improvement of monitoring during pregnancy in a vulnerable rural commune in the Moroccan High Atlas., Methods: We conducted an action-research project incorporating an approach for community mobilization conducted in 2014. The project involving several participants such as social actors, local authorities, health professionals and students in medicine helped to ensure the monitoring of a cohort of 283 pregnant women. In the course of antenatal consultations, women were interviewed, assessed and participated in information sessions and education. The interviewers speaking berber were trained to data collection. Bivariate and descriptive statistical analyzes were carried out, with a threshold for significance of 5%., Results: The average age of patients was 27.1± 6.7 years. The majority of them was illiterate, without health coverage and with no career. Nearly 73.4% had no previous contact with the health care system (N = 252). Among 500 planned pregnancies, 56.6% of women were monitored, 30.4% consulted twice and 6.7% underwent three consultations out of a total of 407 antenatal consultations performed. Follow-up compliance by undergoing at least two consultations was 60.3%. Abnormality detection during pregnancy was significantly associated with monitoring (p = 0.04)., Conclusion: The results reflect the importance of community engagement in the approach to complex health problems as maternal health., Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d'intérêts., (© Majda Sebbani et al.)

Background: In iodine deficiency, thyrotropin (TSH) may increase to stimulate thyroidal iodine uptake. In iodine-sufficient populations, higher TSH predicts higher total cholesterol. Whether higher TSH caused by iodine deficiency affects serum lipids is uncertain., Objective: Our aim was to determine if iodine repletion decreases serum TSH and improves the lipid profile., Methods: In this randomized controlled intervention, iodine-deficient, overweight or obese Moroccan women (n = 163) received 200 μg oral iodine or a placebo daily for 6 mo. Main outcomes were serum TSH and plasma total and LDL cholesterol. Secondary outcomes included thyroid hormones and measures of lipid and glucose metabolism and urinary iodine concentration (UIC). Data were compared by using mixed-model analysis., Results: In the intervention group, median UIC increased from 38 (95% CI: 34, 45) μg/L to 77 (95% CI: 59, 89) μg/L (P < 0.001). After 6 mo of intervention, TSH was 33% lower in the treatment group than in the placebo group (P = 0.024). The triiodothyronine (T3) to thyroxine (T4) ratio and thyroglobulin decreased with treatment [-15% (P = 0.002) and -32% (P < 0.001), respectively], whereas T4 concentrations were higher in the treatment group (P < 0.001). Total cholesterol in subjects with elevated baseline cholesterol (>5 mmol/L) was reduced by 11% after the intervention (P = 0.034). At 6 mo, only 21.5% of treated women remained hypercholesterolemic (total cholesterol >5 mmol/L) vs. 34.8% of controls (baseline: 44.2% in the intervention and 36.8% in the control group; P = 0.015). The reduction in the prevalence of elevated LDL cholesterol (>3 mmol/L) in the intervention group (50.6% to 35.4% compared with 47.4% to 44.9% in the control group) was not significant (P-interaction = 0.23)., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that moderate to severe iodine deficiency in overweight women elevates serum TSH and produces a more atherogenic lipid profile and that iodine supplementation in this group reduces the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia. Thus, iodine prophylaxis may reduce cardiovascular disease risk in overweight adults. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01985204., (© 2015 American Society for Nutrition.)

Background: Iodine deficiency in infants can damage the developing brain and increase mortality. Present recommendations state that oral iodised oil should be given to breastfeeding mothers to correct iodine deficiency in infancy when iodised salt is not available, and that direct supplementation should be given to infants who are not being breastfed or receiving iodine-fortified complimentary foods. However, there is little evidence for these recommendations. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of direct versus indirect supplementation of the infant., Methods: We did this double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in Morocco. Healthy breastfeeding mothers and their term newborn babies (aged ≤8 weeks) were block randomised by clinic day to receive either: one dose of 400 mg iodine to the mother and placebo to the infant (indirect infant supplementation), or one dose of about 100 mg iodine to the infant and placebo to the mother (direct infant supplementation). Randomisation was masked to participants and investigators. Coprimary outcomes were: maternal and infant urinary iodine concentrations, breastmilk iodine concentration, maternal and infant thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations, maternal and infant thyroxine (T4) concentrations, and infant growth. These outcomes were measured at baseline, and when infants were aged about 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months, and the two groups were compared using mixed effects models. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01126125., Findings: We recruited 241 mother-infant pairs between Feb 25, and Aug 10, 2010, and completed data collection by Aug 6, 2011. At baseline, median urinary iodine concentration was 35 μg/L (IQR 29-40) in mothers and 73 μg/L (29-237) in infants, suggesting iodine deficiency. During the study, maternal urinary iodine concentration (p=0.011), breastmilk iodine concentration (p<0.0001), and infant urinary iodine concentration (p=0.042) were higher in the indirect infant supplementation group than in the direct supplementation group. Maternal TSH (p=0.276) and T4 (p=0.074) concentrations did not differ between the groups over the course of the study, nor did infant TSH (p=0.597) and T4 (p=0.184) concentrations, but the number of infants with thyroid hypofunction was lower (p=0.023) in the indirect supplementation group than the direct supplementation group. The infant groups did not differ in anthropomorphic measures, except that length-for-age Z score was slightly greater in the direct infant supplementation group (p=0.032). At 3 months and 6 months of age, median infant urinary iodine concentration in the indirect infant supplementation group was sufficient (>100 μg/L), whereas infant urinary iodine concentration was sufficient only at 6 months in the direct supplementation group. There were no serious adverse events in either group., Interpretation: In regions of moderate-to-severe iodine deficiency without effective salt iodisation, lactating women who receive one dose of 400 mg iodine as oral iodised oil soon after delivery can provide adequate iodine to their infants through breastmilk for at least 6 months, enabling the infants to achieve euthyroidism. Direct supplementation is less effective in improving infant iodine status., Funding: ETH Zurich, Switzerland; the Medicor Foundation, Vaduz, Lichtenstein., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The allele frequency distribution of 15 short tandem repeats (STR) loci contained in the AmpFlSTR Identifiler PCR Amplification Kit (Applied Biosystems), was determined in two Berber populations from Asni and Bouhria, in Central and Eastern Morocco, respectively. A total of 209 individuals were typed. No deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed for Asni at the 15 STRs loci whereas for the Bouhria samples, two loci (D5S818 and TH01) showed significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg expectations (after Bonferroni's correction). All loci are highly polymorphic and population differentiation tests showed that the Moroccan samples from Asni and Bouhria have significant differences in 4 out of 15 loci (D21S11, D7S820, D16S539 and TPOX). The aim of the study was to obtain accurate allele frequencies relevant for forensic applications. Comparative analyses between our population data and other population samples gathered from the literature are also presented.