Risk and protective factors for drug dependence in two Moroccan high-risk male populations

Background Substance use is linked to biological, environmental, and social factors. This study provides insights on protective and risk factors for drug dependence in two Moroccan, high-risk, male samples. Methods Data from the “Mental and Somatic Health without borders” (MeSHe) survey were utilized in the present study. The MeSHe survey assesses somatic and mental health parameters by self-report from prison inmates (n = 177) and outpatients from an addiction institution (n = 54). The “Drug dependence” and the “No drug dependence” groups were identified based on the Arabic version of the Drug Use Disorder Identification Test’s (DUDIT) validated cutoff for identifying individuals with drug dependence, specifically in Morocco. Results The majority of participants who had at least high school competence (67.6%), were living in a partnership (53.7%), were a parent (43.1%), and/or had a job (86.8%) belonged to the “No drug dependence” group, while the presence of mental health problems was typical among the “Drug dependence” group (47.4%). A multivariable regression model (χ2 (df = 5, N = 156) = 63.90, p < 0.001) revealed that the presence of depression diagnosis remains a significant risk factor, while a higher level of education, having a child, and being employed are protective factors from drug dependence. Discussion Findings support the importance of increasing academic competence and treating depression as prevention from the persistence of drug addiction in male high-risk populations

Prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression in the context of climate change among newly recruited contract teachers in Morocco

Teaching has been identified as one of a highly stressful jobs. As known, this job is linked to development of neuropsychiatric. However, there is a little background about the assessment of these problems among Moroccan teachers. This study aims to measure the prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression among 150 newly recruited contractual primary teachers in KHEMISSET city using three international scales. The perceived stress scale (PSS) for stress, the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for anxiety and depression. The results show that 95.9% of the teachers are stressed. In contrast, among these teachers newly recruited 94.9% and 72.4% do not suffer from depression and anxiety, respectively. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the stress, anxiety and depression scores between male and female teachers (p > 0.05). The prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among newly recruited contract teachers in Morocco, specifically in the context of climate change, can be influenced by various factors. In conclusion, this study suggest that teachers are more susceptible to stress, depression and anxiety and suitable steps should be taken to enhance the mental health of these teachers, thus guaranteeing good quality education

Swedish High School Students’ Drug and Alcohol Use Habits throughout 2020

This study describes gender-specific patterns in alcohol and drug use among Swedish high school students throughout 2020 and questions the current cutoffs for identifying addiction in this population. From September 2020 to February 2021, 1590 Swedish upper secondary high school students (mean age 17.15 years, age range 15–19 years, 39.6% male, and 60.4% female) completed the anonymous, electronic survey of the Mental and Somatic Health without borders study. The respondents reported their substance use habits during the previous 12 months using the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). They also answered questions about changes in their alcohol and illegal drug use habits after the COVID-19 outbreak. No gender differences were detected in the prevalence and degree of alcohol use. Compared to female adolescents, significantly more male adolescents used drugs (and to a significantly higher degree, although with a small effect size). Substance use problems peaked in females at age 17 and in males at age 18. The COVID-19 outbreak affected alcohol consumption and illegal drug use in male and female adolescents similarly. For both genders, of those who used illegal drugs, over 40% reported increased use after the outbreak. Our results reinforce previous suggestions of the narrowing of gender differences in Swedish adolescents’ risk behaviors and challenge the previously validated gender-specific cutoffs for the AUDIT and DUDIT. An improved understanding of the impacts of gender diversity and evolving gender roles and norms on behaviors and mental health is warranted.© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).</p

Excessive smartphone use symptoms associated with psychological distress as consequence of early phase COVID-19 restrictions

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been associated to various mental health problems and its consequences such as lock-down and social distancing were linked to various adaptations forms including increased smartphone usage. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of symptoms related to smartphone excessive use and to detect smartphone addiction symptoms related to general psychological distress. Participants were (N=260) surveyed during the first two weeks of lockdown measure. Online measures were introduced including sociodemographic background, Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version (SAS-SV), and the Brief Symptoms Inventory (BSI). Among 260 Moroccan adults, the prevalence of excessive smartphone use was 48.4% (women: 59.6% / men: 40.4%). Withdrawal, preoccupation, simultaneous presence of withdrawal and tolerance, with or without preoccupation, were significantly more observed among female users (p=.019, p=.042, p=.023 and p=.003; respectively). Comparing excessive smartphone users to non-excessive users, GSI and all BSI dimensions, showed higher significant difference in mean scores (r ranging from .15 to .31). SAS-SV total score was positively correlated with general distress (rho=.19, p<.05), depression (rho=.27, p<.01), and paranoid ideation (rho=.20, p<.05) in excessive smartphone users. Smartphone excessive use appears strongly associated with general distress, regardless of the circumstances. The results of this work provide sufficient evidence for the implementation of psychological interventions in general population during possible lock down measures or potential quarantine for potential next pandemic waves

Somatic health and its association with negative psychosocial factors in a sample of Moroccan adolescents

Background: Adolescence is a distinct developmental phase characterized by multiple physical and psychological changes and by an increased vulnerability to somatic and mental health problems. These risk and vulnerability factors are part of a complex biopsychosocial matrix, encompassing multiple factors, such as inherited biological determinants and psychological, societal, and cultural influences, which affect an adolescent’s overall wellbeing. In Morocco, similar to other developing countries, adolescents (young people aged from 15 to 19 years) constitute a substantial proportion of the population (almost 9%). However, studies about adolescents’ health in developing countries are scarce. In this study, we describe adolescents’ somatic health in a sample of high school students from the city of Tetouan, Morocco, and investigate how negative psychosocial factors, such as parental alcohol use problems and/or the experience of abuse, may influence them. Methods: The study sample included 655 adolescents (315 boys and 340 girls, M  = 16.64 years, range = 15–18 years) from conviniently selected classes of four high schools in the city of Tetouan in Morocco. The students responded to a survey that assessed the prevalence of somatic complaints/disorders. They also indicated whether they had ever experienced physical and/or psychological abuse and whether they had parents with alcohol use problems. Results: More than half of the adolescents suffered from headaches and one-third had substantial problems with diarrhea or constipation. Both problems were more common in female students. The third most frequent somatic problem, affecting one in four in both genders, was allergy. Almost one-third of Moroccan adolescents (significantly more boys than girls; p   =  0.004) reported no somatic complaints. In adolescents who reported parental alcohol use problems and/or experience of physical and/or psychological abuse, the prevalence of several somatic complaints (epilepsy, migraine, headache, diarrhea/constipation, gluten intolerance, allergy, and skin or thyroid disease) increased highly significantly compared to the adolescents who reported no such psychosocial environmental factors. Conclusion: The results suggest that only 3 in 10 urban-living Moroccan adolescents are free of somatic complaints, while the majority suffer from some somatic problems, most often headaches and diarrhea/constipation. The association of certain negative psychosocial factors with adolescents’ somatic health suggests the need of a holistic approach to the treatment of affected adolescents

Psychological distress in a sample of Moroccan prisoners with drug-dependence

Research regarding mental illness and drug addiction among inmates in Morocco requires increased knowledge; previous literature reported that prisoners suffer from severe psychological distress. The present study aimed to provide information about Moroccan prisoners’ psychological distress and define the differences in psychological distress levels among inmates with and without drug-dependence. A sample of 177 male inmates completed a set of surveys, including the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). The “Drug dependence” group scored significantly higher psychological distress levels in each of the BSI domains. The strongest differences were measured in the General Severity Index (GSI), hostility, and depression scales. Moroccan prison inmates have high psychological distress, and those with drug-dependence have even higher. There is a need of psychiatric assessment, selection, and care possibilities in prison inmate populations

Occurrence of Clostridium perfringens in sausages sold in Meknes city, Morocco

In Morocco, the consumption of meat products has experienced a sharp increase in recent years despite the presence of pathogenic bacteria due to hygiene failure. The present study was designed to determine the prevalence of Clostridium perfringens in sausages sold in Meknes city (Morocco) and to study the different factors affecting it contamination with this bacterium. To this end, 156 samples of sausages were taken in various shopping sites during one year from March 2014 to February 2015. The microbiological analysis was carried out using the specific medium for isolation and identification of C. perfringens. ANOVA test was used for Statistical analysis (p&lt; 0.05). The results of this study showed the presence of C. perfringens in 77.56% (121 of 156) samples, with 88.88% (32 of 36) in street vendors, 79.16% (19 of 24) in a weekly market, 70.83% (51 of 72) in butchery and 62.5% (15 of 24) in a supermarket. The average rate was 2.42 Log CFU/g, with a minimum value of 0 CFU/g recorded in several outlets and a maximum value of 6.05 Log CFU/g recorded in butchery. This study reveals that the contamination rate of sausages with C. perfringens is related to the sausages origin, retail sites and seasonal variations related to temperature increase.Keywords: Clostridium perfringens, Food contamination, Food safety, Morocco, Sausages

Psychometric Properties of Update Arabic Version of the Trait Hope Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale

Hope and self-esteem are crucial components of positive psychology, and there is a lack of tools to assess these concepts in Morocco. Therefore, this study aims to provide the necessary instruments for evaluating hope and self-esteem among Moroccan college students. A total of 1150 college students (444 males, 703 females) completed an updated Arabic version of the Trait Hope Scale (THS) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). The data underwent factorial and reliability analyses, with test-retest reliability assessed using responses from 26 students. Both the THS and RSES revealed a two-factor solution, and Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis (MGCFA) demonstrated measurement invariance with respect to gender. Furthermore, the results indicated good and acceptable internal consistency (α = .85 for THS and α = .70 for RSES) and acceptable temporal stability (r = .72 for THS and r = .76 for RSES). In conclusion, the updated Arabic versions of the THS and RSES exhibited strong psychometric properties and stability. They have been established as valid and reliable tools for assessing hope and self-esteem among Moroccan college students.CC BY 4.0</p

Occurrence of Clostridium perfringens in sausages sold in Meknes city, Morocco

In Morocco, the consumption of meat products has experienced a sharp increase in recent years despite the presence of pathogenic bacteria due to hygiene failure. The present study was designed to determine the prevalence of Clostridium perfringens in sausages sold in Meknes city (Morocco) and to study the different factors affecting it contamination with this bacterium. To this end, 156 samples of sausages were taken in various shopping sites during one year from March 2014 to February 2015. The microbiological analysis was carried out using the specific medium for isolation and identification of C. perfringens. ANOVA test was used for Statistical analysis (p< 0.05). The results of this study showed the presence of C. perfringens in 77.56% (121 of 156) samples, with 88.88% (32 of 36) in street vendors, 79.16% (19 of 24) in a weekly market, 70.83% (51 of 72) in butchery and 62.5% (15 of 24) in a supermarket. The average rate was 2.42 Log CFU/g, with a minimum value of 0 CFU/g recorded in several outlets and a maximum value of 6.05 Log CFU/g recorded in butchery. This study reveals that the contamination rate of sausages with C. perfringens is related to the sausages origin, retail sites and seasonal variations related to temperature increase

Prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression in the context of climate change among newly recruited contract teachers in Morocco

Teaching has been identified as one of a highly stressful jobs. As known, this job is linked to development of neuropsychiatric. However, there is a little background about the assessment of these problems among Moroccan teachers. This study aims to measure the prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression among 150 newly recruited contractual primary teachers in KHEMISSET city using three international scales. The perceived stress scale (PSS) for stress, the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for anxiety and depression. The results show that 95.9% of the teachers are stressed. In contrast, among these teachers newly recruited 94.9% and 72.4% do not suffer from depression and anxiety, respectively. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the stress, anxiety and depression scores between male and female teachers (p > 0.05). The prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among newly recruited contract teachers in Morocco, specifically in the context of climate change, can be influenced by various factors. In conclusion, this study suggest that teachers are more susceptible to stress, depression and anxiety and suitable steps should be taken to enhance the mental health of these teachers, thus guaranteeing good quality education