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The back-to-school period takes place in a particular context marked by the obligation to adopt strict health security measures to fight against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical distancing, as one of the main measures imposed in the situation of the current health crisis, represents a major constraint to the teaching of physical education (PE) in schools. This article explores benchmarks representing a guide allowing PE teachers to safely resume their activities in this COVID-19 context.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an acquired chronic, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. In addition to conventional MS therapy, patients are interested in traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM). Our study aims to describe the use of T&CM in a cohort of Moroccan patients with MS. METHODS: A quantitative descriptive study was adopted to study this subject. For data collection, we opted for an anonymous questionnaire for 98 patients with MS. We gathered data via an electronic survey, using multivariable analysis to examine the effect of specific factors on T&CM use. Data collection took place from March 2022 to June 2022. RESULTS: The results show that 52% of patients use T&CM. Of those, 29.6% use cupping, 23.5% recite the Holy Quran, 15.3% use phytotherapy, 13.2% use apitherapy, and 10.2% use acupuncture. In addition, 66.3% of the surveyed respondents stated that alternative medicine positively affects their health. Finally, 49.1% of surveyed patients who use alternative medicine are between 30 and 40 years old. The results also show that the rate of T&CM use is higher in patients with progressive MS (OR = 2.540) and patients without financial access to disease-modifying therapy (OR = 2.100). CONCLUSIONS: This study invites us to consider societal, cultural, and economic factors when studying the use of T&CM among people with MS. Further research is needed to understand the motivations for using T&CM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Breakfast skipping is an unhealthy eating behavior reportedly common among adolescents. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with breakfast skipping among schoolchildren aged 12–19 years in Beni Mellal city, Morocco, and to assist in the design of interventions to improve breakfast consumption habits of school-aged children in this region. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 550 children were included in the study. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with skipping breakfast consumption. The association between dependent and independent variables was assessed using an odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval and p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 550 Moroccan adolescents evaluated, 25.6% reported not consuming breakfast every day. Breakfast eating was statistically associated with gender (OR = 7.13 [95% CI 1.32–3.84], p = 0.008); mother's low educational level (OR = 2.86 [95% CI 1.89–4.71], p = 0.091); nonworking mothers (OR = 13.71 [95% CI 1.16–5.29], p < 0.001); not eating between meals (OR = 15.49 [95% CI 2.15–5.49], p < 0.001); eating dinner regularly each day (OR = 17.79 [95% CI 2.81–8.01], p = 0.005); eating vegetables 1–3 times per week (OR = 10.21 [95% CI 1.44–4.67], p = 0.001); consuming milk and dairy product 1–3 times per week (OR = 13.88 [95% CI 1.59–5.56], p < 0.001); and never consuming sodas and soft drink in week (OR = 3.12 [95% CI 1.90–4.50], p = 0.003). Conclusions: This study revealed that the prevalence of skipping breakfast consumption among school-aged children in Beni Mellal city was high. Thus, the findings suggest a community health education program, conducted by school nurses, nutritionists, and other health professionals, is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Diabetes remains poorly controlled in a high proportion of diabetes patients. This study examines the prevalence of poor glycaemic control and associated factors in type 2 diabetes patients in the Beni-Mellal Khenifra region in Morocco. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2017 among 1456 diabetes patients attending primary health centres. Demographic and clinical data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured and pre-tested questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements, including body weight, height and waist circumference were taken using standardized techniques and calibrated equipment. Glycaemic control was assessed in terms of the glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level and poor glycaemic control was defined as HbA1c ≥7% and a level <7% reflects good glycaemic control. Results Of the total participants, 66.3% had poor glycaemic control. Bivariate analysis showed that sex (p=0.010), education level (p=0.013), body mass index (p=0.048), duration of diabetes (p<0.0001) and type of therapeutic regimen (p<0.0001) were significantly associated with HbA1c level. However, multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that only a longer duration of diabetes (OR 1.525 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.183–1.967], p=0.001) and receiving insulin therapy alone (OR 1.589 [95% CI 1.157–2.183], p=0.004) or a combination of oral antidiabetics with insulin (OR 2.554 [95% CI 1.786–3.653], p<0.001) were significantly associated with inadequate glycaemic control. Conclusions Despite the particularities of the region, the findings about glycaemic control and its cross-sectionally associated factors are in line with findings from other regions of Morocco. In this subgroup, the longer duration of diabetes and insulin treatment could constitute a cause leading to poor glycaemic control. However, inverse causality cannot be excluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Adolescent obesity has become a pressing public health issue in Morocco. Along with the increased prevalence of obesity, body weight misperceptions have also increased among adolescents, which may reduce the effectiveness of intervention programs. The main study objective was to establish the relationship between body image perception, anthropometric status and their associated factors among a sample of Moroccan adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional school-based survey was conducted during 2018, involving 250 adolescents from Morocco. Data on sociodemographic information, anthropometric characteristics, and weight perception were collected and reported as the means and proportions. Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 19.0 software. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in our study reached 12.8% and 4.8%, respectively. Misperception of body weight compared to body mass index (BMI) was found in 50.4% of young adolescents (χ2 = 54.05; p < 0.001), and dissatisfaction computed by the Feel minus Ideal Discrepancy (FID) index reached 46% with no difference between the sexes (χ2 = 2.55; p > 0.05). The Feel weight status minus Actual weight status Inconsistency (FAI) index was used to determine whether the subjects' perception of their weight was realistic. The results showed that both sexes tended to underestimate their weight. Only 68.2% of overweight/obese participants reported trying to lose weight (χ2 = 39.74; p < 0.001), while this number increased to 94.7% when the intention to lose weight was related to perceived body image (χ2 = 86.09; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study reveal that a mismatch exists between the perception of body weight and actual BMI in adolescents, with a tendency toward underestimation, affirming the early effect of social norms and the vulnerability to sociocultural influences of individuals in this age category. Future interventions and educational programs are thus required to prevent overweight and obesity and to address the mismatch between adolescents' weight status and their perceived weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The links between learning disabilities and food consumption modes are not yet sufficiently explained. The objectives of this study were to describe the dietary behavior of school children, to examine the association between certain dietary patterns and cognitive skills related to learning to read, and to identify, afterward, dietary profiles that are beneficial or harmful to reading acquisition and academic performance. 611 children, aged 10 years, who participated in this study, were assessed for cognitive functions that predominate in learning to read. The children were selected from schools belonging to areas with the same socio economic level. Absenteeism and neuro developmental disorders were two exclusion criteria. The study was conducted from December 2019 to the end of February 2020. A food frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary information from the respondents. Descriptive and explanatory analyses were applied to the collected data. The study population's diet was varied, with a low consumption of fruits and vegetables. The number of meals/snacks eaten per day and the regularity of main meals was significantly and positively associated with the underlying reading skills. High consumption of fruits, vegetables, bread/starches, olive oil, vegetables, poultry, and water with low consumption of meats are behaviors consistently associated with better reading performance and academic achievement. Educating children to practice healthy eating habits can help them minimize academic difficulties and improve their learning abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines and decreasing sedentary time (SED-time) are cornerstones in the management of diabetes. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the level of PA, SED-time, and related factors among Moroccan diabetes patients. METHODS: From February to June 2019, 1143 patients with type 2 diabetes took part in a cross-sectional survey. PA and SED-time were assessed through a face-to-face interview using International PA Questionnaire. RESULTS: The PA recommendations were achieved by 77.7% of participants and they were significantly higher in males using oral antidiabetic alone, in normal and overweight participants, and in those with duration less than 7 years. While in females, this level was significantly higher only in participants with a family history of diabetes. The mean SED-time was high (35.66±16.88 hours/week) and increased with age, BMI, duration of diabetes, among widowers and divorced, illiterate and among those with low level of PA. CONCLUSIONS: The PA level and SED-time were high. Furthermore, participants with high SED-time have low levels of PA, which represents a combined risk of sitting and inactivity in this subgroup. As a result, patients should be encouraged to participate regularly in PA and also to minimize their SED-time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dyslexia is the most common learning disability in school and the most devastating in terms of academic performance. In interaction with the socio-cultural environment, several and various factors can aggravate the difficulties of reader acquisition in dyslexic children. Identifying these factors and interpreting them according to the neuropsychological approach, in the Moroccan context, was the objective of this study. Material/Methods: Socio-economic data was collected from 626 children, aged 9 to 15 years with an average age of 11,95 years, enrolled in public educational establishments in the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region, located in central Morocco. Among all the participants, 41 had a profile of dyslexia, 13 of whom had reading attitudes evoking "severe dyslexia". Subjects underwent a cognitive assessment. the others were normal-readers and classified as good readers (n=481) and weak readers (n=104). To follow our purpose, we have determined socio-cultural and cognitive variables that may discriminate between students in the "severely dyslexic" group and their "dyslexic" peers. Results: The performance gap was significant in favor of "dyslexic" students in the reading test of pseudowords, rapid naming of images, and the deletion of the initial phoneme. These data reinforce the hypothesis that the phonological deficit is at the root of developmental dyslexia. On the socio-cultural domain, the results showed that preschool attendance and early exposure to written language activity discriminate the participants with a "severe dyslexia" profile from their peers in the "dyslexic" group. We believe that these two factors were responsible for the moderate intensity of the disorder observed in the "dyslexic" group. Our study also showed that bilingualism raises the degree of learning reading difficulties among students with this disorder. Conclusions: These results are consistent with those described in the literature, it suggests that dyslexics can implement compensation strategies both at the behavioral and neuronal level. They call on those in charge of the Moroccan education system to recognize the existence of learning disabilities of neurobiological origin in order to address the necessary care for children who suffer from them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this work is to evaluate the effects of smoking hashish on some blood parameters (Red blood cells, Hemoglobins, Hematocrits, MCV, MCH, MCHC, White blood cells, Urea, Creatinine, Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Liver Aminotransferases) among young people from the Beni Mellal region, Morocco. Methods: Blood samples are collected from 30 male, fasting, voluntary and anonymous individuals in three groups; 10 non-smokers (controls), 10 moderate chronic smokers (5 joints/day (5 j/d) or less for a period not exceeding 3 years) and 10 intense chronic smokers (15 joints/day or more for a period equal to or greater than 5 years). Results: The results obtained show that with the duration and number of joints consumed, a decrease in the level of HB, RBCs, HT, platelets, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides, SGOT and SGPT while there is an increase in MCH, MCHC, eosinophils and creatinine. Conclusion: These results could be explained by the impact of the active ingredients in the joints, including THC in cannabis and the components of smoked cigarettes in conjunction with cannabis resin on consumer nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Exclusive breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition for infants during the first 6 months of life. Nevertheless, the practice of breastfeeding is currently declining throughout the world. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice and its associated factors among mothers living in Marrakesh province, Morocco. METHODS: The data were collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice. RESULTS: Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 50.2%. Mothers with age more than 30 years, residing in rural area, receiving counseling related breastfeeding during antenatal follow up and having knowledge about duration of breastfeeding were more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding than their counterparts. CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of breastfeeding in Marrakesh was higher than the last national survey report but it is still insufficient. These findings have to stress authorities and deciders to sensitize mothers and future mothers to increase exclusive breastfeeding practice notably through the involvement of health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reading acquisition disorders constitute the main problem in children's learning. in Morocco, epidemiological data are very rare. Research, mainly in the English language, concerns either the sociological or the cognitive field. Few studies, among them not one in Arabic, have explored the link relating to social and cognitive factors. The purpose of our work is to study and analyze the cognitive and social variables related to different reading skills among Moroccan pupils in primary and secondary public schools. Material/Methods: From a sample of 754 learners (388 boys and 366 girls) ranging in age from 9 to 15 years with an average of 11.59 years, the diagnostic tests identified 145 students with deficient skills „Bad readers (BR)," 128 suspected of being in difficulty classified as « intermediate level (IL) » and a group of 481 children as good readers (GR). Statistical analyses have shown that the first two groups (BR and IL) represent 24% in the favoured areas compared to 43% in the disadvantaged. Results: The analysis of scores and the nature of the errors made on various reading tests show that 41 students, or 5.43% of our sample, present a dyslexia profile. 13 (1.72%) of whom have very severe difficulties. The phonological aptitudes (Rapid automatized naming, phonological short-time memory and especially phonological awareness) mainly reflect the level of reading. These phonological abilities are highly influenced by early attendance of preschool and by the degree of exposure to written language at home. These data, which are unique in Morocco, are consistent to that of the published subject literature. They make it possible to plan preventive actions by generalizing pre-school teaching, particularly in precarious environments. These actions should be based on playful exercises aimed at improving phonological abilities at an early age, Conclusions: while exploiting the brain sensitivity to reading at that age. Phonological awareness and rapid naming are the most implicated factors in the disparity of reading skills. These abilities are highly influenced by the integration of preschool at a very early age and by the degree of exposure to written language activities. Therefore, there is a need to plan preventive actions, based on playful exercises, aiming to improve phonological skills from the pre-school period [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cow milk samples were collected during three periods and from four milk collection centres located in four different geographical zones. Samples were analysed for their standard plate count, enterococci, total coliform and feacal coliform, lactic acid bacteria, spoilage bacteria and some of the pathogenic bacteria. The most contaminated cooperatives were those located essentially in the irrigated zones. The less contaminated ones belong to semipublic farms. It seems that transportation, milking and pre-storage conditions constitute the main basic relevant factors for heavy bacterial contamination. This is the first survey of the microbiological characteristics of raw milk produced in the Tadla area of Morocco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Students' consumption of PSA is strongly associated to the use of inhalants with a very high risk. • Overall prevalence are found among students aged between 15 and 17 years (14,17%). • Among students whose fathers are illiterate (5,13%). The objective of this work is to take stock of the current state of addiction at a psychoactive substance (PAS) in the region of Béni Mellal, Morocco, among adolescents enrolled at school. The results showed that the highest usage frequencies in our study related to males. The highest consumption for both genders concerns tobacco and related products (13.2% for Tobacco, 11.6% Shisha, 9.2% Nafha and 7.9% for Kala). In second position, we found alcohol followed by inhalants and cannabis.48.2% of students started using PAS are likely to be influenced by their peers, 15.9% because of family problems, 11.6% used the PAS to overcome school problems, 10.4% for dealing with personal issues, while 9.1% stated they experienced use under the influence of a family member. In sum, this study shows that students' consumption of PSA is strongly associated to the use of inhalants with a very high risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to describe the clinical, therapeutic, and epidemiological profiles of MS patients in Morocco., Methods: This descriptive study involved 170 patients representing four Morocco regions. We collected the data using an electronic survey., Results: The results show female dominance in patients with MS. Besides, most patients present with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). The main clinical symptoms reported by patients are fatigue, cognitive issues, spasticity, bowel or bladder complaints, and visual issues. Furthermore, the findings show that almost half of the patients use Interferon bêta-1a and azathioprine as disease-modifying therapies; 60.5 % use traditional and complementary medicine, of which 30.6 % use cupping, 30 % recite the Holy Quran, and 28.2 % use apitherapy. The findings show that there is a statistically significant relationship between specific MS factors such as professional activity (p = 0.0071), degree of satisfaction with treatment (p = 0.005), stress (p = 0.014), and the frequency of relapses., Conclusions: In addition to DMT, patients also use traditional and complementary medicine. There is also a relationship between some epidemiological characteristics and the frequency of relapses in patients with MS., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest We declare no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study aims to determine the link between sociodemographic factors, diagnosis, and access to disease-modifying treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Morocco., Methods: This study concerned a sample of 520 patients representing seven regions of Morocco. We obtained data from the patient record registers, the patient's files, and a questionnaire., Results: The results showed female dominance (69.4%) in patients with MS (69.4%). Besides, patients with this disease are generally young; their mean age is 35.36. The employment rate among the surveyed population was 24.9%. More than 74.6% have no health care coverage, and 70.4% of the patients investigated live without treatment. The results show a significant association between access to treatment and several sociodemographic factors, such as the patient's job, health care coverage, region, and marital status. There is also a link between these sociodemographic factors and access to diagnosis., Conclusions: Diagnosis and access to treatment are associated with certain sociodemographic factors such as health insurance coverage, the patient's job, regional belonging, and marital status., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest We declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Obesity constitutes a major risk factor for the development of diabetes, and has been linked with poor glycaemic control among type 2 diabetic patients., Aims: This study examines the prevalence of overweight/obesity and associated factors in type 2 diabetic patients in the Beni-Mellal Khenifra region in Morocco., Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 among 975 diabetes patients attending primary health centres. Demographic and clinical data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Anthropometric measurements, including body weight, height and waist circumference, were taken using standardized techniques and calibrated equipment., Results: The prevalence of overweight was 40.4%, the general obesity was 28.8% and the abdominal obesity was 73.7%. Using multivariate analysis, we noted that the general obesity was associated with female sex (AOR= 3,004, 95% CI: 1.761-5.104, P<0.001), increased age (AOR=2.192, 95% CI: 1.116-4.307, P<0.023) and good glycaemic control (AOR=1.594, 95% CI: 1.056-2.407, P=0.027), whereas abdominal obesity was associated wih female sex (AOR=2.654, 95% CI: 1.507-4.671, P<0.001) and insulin treatment (AOR=2.927, 95% CI: 1.031-8.757, P=0.048)., Conclusion: Overweight, general obesity and abdominal obesity were high among participants, especially among women. Taken together, these findings urge the implementation of a roadmap for this diabetic subpopulation to have a new lifestyle., (© 2021 Chetoui A et al.)