The impact of knowledge and attitudes on adherence to tuberculosis treatment: a case-control study in a Moroccan region

Background: Although tuberculosis (TB) care is provided free of charge in Morocco, a high number of patients voluntarily interrupt their treatment before the end. Treatment Default is a major obstacle in the fight against the disease. The purpose of this study was to describe the impact of knowledge and attitudes toward TB on treatment adherence. Methods: Case-control study of 290 TB patients (85 defaulters and 205 controls). A defaulter was defined as a TB patient who interrupted treatment for two months or longer. Socio-demographic measurements, knowledge and attitude were collected by face to face anonymous questionnaire. Khi-square test was conducted to examine differences in TB attitudes and knowledge according to treatment adherence. Results: The mean age of participants was 31.7 ± 12.0 years. Monthly income was under 2000 MAD (180 ?) for 82 % of them. Over sixty four percent were illiterate or had a basic educational level. Microbial cause was known by 17.2% respondents; 20.5% among adherent patients versus 9.4% (p=0.02). The fact that the disease is curable was more known by adherent patients: 99.0% versus 88.2% (p<0.01). Eighty tree per cent of patients had been informed about treatment duration and consequences of not completing treatment: 89.0% among adherent patients versus 69.7% (p<0.001). The main reason evoked for defaulting was the sensation of being cured (72.9% of defaulters). Conclusion:  This study shows a poor knowledge on TB especially among non adherent patients. This finding justifies the need to incorporate patient?s education into current TB case management. Pan African Medical Journal 2012; 12:5

Descriptive Epidemiological study of COVID-19 in Maghreb and European countries

An outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) has spread quickly world wide. We performed a descriptive epidemiological study of COVID-19 in Mediterranean North African countries and South European countries. Cases data were collected through May 3, 2020 from WHO. Data analysis included: 1) geo-temporal analysis of viral spread in 6 countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Spain, France and Italy), 2) epidemiological curve construction, 3)mortality and cured rates, 4) study  factors that led to differences of the spread of the virus in these 6 countries, and 5) comparison between Morocco and three European countries. The number of infected cases between North African and Southern European countries were different, which might be related to restriction conditions, age, geographic location, and lifestyle. We observed that The COVID-19 epidemic has spread very quickly in Southern European compared to North African countrie

COVID-19 Response and Vaccination in Morocco: Efforts, Challenges, and Opportunities

The Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted global health systems and has put enormous strain on fragile health systems worldwide. Despite the challenges that the Moroccan health system faces, the country’s rapid and effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic has yielded positive results in terms of virus containment. A convergence of public policies has enabled Morocco to implement multifaceted interventions aimed at achieving large-scale vaccine coverage. These efforts have contributed to the success of Morocco’s national vaccination campaign. While the immunization operation was not devoid of challenges, this experience has paved the way for Morocco to expand its disease surveillance system and explore its potential as a key actor in vaccine and bio-therapeutics supply on the continent

Digestive cancers in Morocco: Fez-Boulemane region

Introduction: To describe the epidemiological and pathological aspects of gastrointestinal cancers in Fez-Boulemane. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study of 1120 gastrointestinal cancers diagnosed between 2004 and 2010 in the department of Pathology of Hassan II University Hospital in Fez Morocco. Results: The average age of our patients was 53 years with a male predominance in 52% of cases. Digestive cancers in this study are distinguished by the predominance of colorectal and stomach location. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal cancers are the most frequent cancer in our region. An epidemiological monitoring program is needed.Pan African Medical Journal 2012; 13:4

Chloroquineand hydroxychloroquine in covid 19: asystematic review

Since 100 years, current coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 is themostdangerous healthcare crisis and unprecedented in absense of prophylactic or therapeutic drugs. The world's major health systems have had no large-scale therapeutic choice and at an acceptable cost apart from Chloroquine (CQ) and its derivative hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to treat Covid-19.These drugs have anti-inflammatory activity and are already used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, lupus. However, these drugs have raised a great worldwide controversy between the pros and cons of their uses to treat patientswith Covid-19In these systematic review, we analyzed articles published until 28 august in pubmed, sciences direct and ClinicalTrials.gov by using these keywords: chloroquine and COVID-19 or hydroxychloroquine and COVID-19. these online preprint publications have offered inconclusive preliminary results as well as clinical trials not yet finished. Although CQ / HCQ have antiviral activity against Sars cov 2 in vitro, antiviral activity in vivo is questionable

Hypertension and type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study in Morocco (EPIDIAM Study)

Background: In Morocco, there are no studies that focused on the hypertension and its associated risk factors through patients with type 2 diabetes. Different findings show that the frequency of type 2 diabetes has risen rapidly in Morocco. The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of hypertension and its associated risk factors among a group of patients with type 2 diabetes and to examine the level of control of hypertension among type 2 diabetic patients with hypertension. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 525 type 2 diabetics in three Moroccan regions. The structured questionnaire was used to gather information on sociodemographic variables, history of hypertension, use of anti-hypertensive medications and duration of diabetes. Anthropometric measurements including weight and height were measured by trained staff. Blood pressure was measured using standardized sphygmomanometers. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 70.4%. The logistic regression indicated that hypertension was positively associated with age (p<10-4), BMI (p<0.0002) and duration of diabetes (p Conclusion: Hypertension is a common co-morbidity among Moroccan diabetic patients with high rate of ignorance of hypertension among study subjects. The focus must be on patients and family education, counseling and behavioral interventions designed to modify lifestyle such as increasing physical activity and adopting recommended dietary changes, as well as compliance with medications

Existing models of maternal death surveillance systems : protocol for a scoping review

Background: Maternal mortality measurement remains a critical challenge, particularly in low and middle income countries (LMICs) where little or no data are available and maternal mortality and morbidity are often the highest in the world. Despite the progress made in data collection, underreporting and translating the results into action are two major challenges that maternal death surveillance systems (MDSSs) face in LMICs. Objective: This paper presents a protocol for a scoping review aimed at synthesizing the existing models of MDSSs and factors that influence their completeness and usefulness. Methods: The methodology for scoping reviews from the Joanna Briggs Institute was used as a guide for developing this protocol. A comprehensive literature search will be conducted across relevant electronic databases. We will include all articles that describe MDSSs or assess their completeness or usefulness. At least two reviewers will independently screen all articles, and discrepancies will be resolved through discussion. The same process will be used to extract data from studies fulfilling the eligibility criteria. Data analysis will involve quantitative and qualitative methods. Results: Currently, the abstracts screening is under way and the first results are expected to be publicly available by mid-2017. The synthesis of the reviewed materials will be presented in tabular form completed by a narrative description. The results will be classified in main conceptual categories that will be obtained during the results extraction. Conclusions: We anticipate that the results will provide a broad overview of MDSSs and describe factors related to their completeness and usefulness. The results will allow us to identify research gaps concerning the barriers and facilitating factors facing MDSSs. Results will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and conferences as well as domestic and international agencies in charge of implementing MDSS

Sociodemographic factors and delay in the diagnosis of cervical cancer in Morocco

Background: In Morocco, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. The cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed at a late stage: 43.7% presented at stage II of diagnosis (FIGO) and 38.1% in advanced stage (stage III and IV). The main objective of this study is to investigate factors associated to late the diagnosis of cervical cancer in Morocco as measured by the stage at diagnosis and delays between first symptoms and diagnosis of cancer. Methods: Cross-sectional studies, conducted from June-2008 to June-2010 at two main oncological centers. Two-hundred cases were recruited. Stages I & II were identified as "early-stage". The dates of first-symptoms, first-consultation and first-diagnosis were used to define "Patient", "Medical" and "Total" delays. Results: Elevated risks for late stage was observed for women unmarried (OR=5.0; 95%CI: 1.43-16.66); living > 100 km from center of diagnosis (OR=4.51; 95%CI: 1.35-15.11); without a familial history of cancer (OR=14.28; 95%CI: 2.22-100) and whose was the first symptom not bleeding (OR=25; 95%CI: 1.62-300). Frequency of housewives was significantly higher for women with a "patient-delay. ≥1 month. Frequency of patients who had symptoms of .bleeding. was significantly higher for women with a "patient-delay" <1 month. Frequency of patients from urban area was significantly higher for women with a "Medical-delay" < 1 month. Elevated risks for a long "Total-delay" was observed for women aged < 50 years (OR=2.44; 95%CI: 1.24-4.76); illiterate (OR=3.85; 95%CI: 1.45-10.00) and from rural-area (OR=2.56; 95%CI: 1.25-5.26). Conclusion: Our results may represent an important tool in guiding the actions for an early diagnosis of cervical cancer. Pan African Medical Journal 2012; 12:1

Cervical cancer prevention in Morocco : a model-based cost-effectiveness analysis

Altres ajuts: CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Cataluny

Complementary medicine use among Moroccan patients with cancer: A descriptive study

tter inform his patients