QUALITY APPROACH IMPLEMENTATION: HEALTHCARE PROVIDER'S SATISFACTION IN THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ONCOLOGY (MOROCCO)

In developing countries, providing quality care remains a major challenge to gain trust in public hospitals. Consequently, the National Institute of Oncology (NIO) in Morocco has been engaged in a continuous quality process. This work aims to assess the healthcare providers' satisfaction with this process to identify improvement areas. It has carried out via a questionnaire using a non-probability sampling plan, and the data processed by IBM SPSS. 87% of respondents confirmed that the approach adapts to the hospital context. 83% confirmed the creation of quality circles and are pleasantly surprised by its benefits which prompted 96% of them to recommend its generalization in all of the Moroccan's public hospitals

Determinants of Patient Delay in Seeking Diagnosis and Treatment among Moroccan Women with Cervical Cancer

Introduction. This study sought to investigate potential determinants of patient delay among Moroccan women with cervical cancer. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2014 to June 2015 at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat. Data were collected using questionnaire among patients with cervical cancer locally advanced or metastatic (stages IIA–IVB). Medical records were abstracted to complete clinical information. An interval longer than 90 days between discovery of initial symptoms and presentation to a provider was defined as a patient delay. Results. Four hundred and one patients with cervical cancer enrolled in this study. The mean age was 52.4 years (SD = 11.5). 53.6% were illiterate. Abnormal vaginal bleeding was identified for 65.8% of patients. 60.1% were diagnosed at stages IIA-IIB. 55.4% were found having patient delay. The regression analyses showed the association between literacy (p<0.001), distance of the place of the first consultation (p=0.031), abnormal vaginal bleeding as an earlier symptom (p<0.001), stage at diagnosis (p<0.03), knowledge of symptoms (p<0.001), knowledge of causes (p=0.008), and practice of gynecological exam during the last three years (p=0.018) and the patient delay. Conclusion. Educational messages should aim at increasing awareness of cervical cancer, assisting women in symptom recognition, and encouraging earlier presentation

Ostreopsis spp.: Morphology, proliferation and toxic profile in the North-West of Agadir (North Atlantic Ocean).

The distribution of benthic Ostreopsis species is poorly known in the Moroccan coasts. The current study is aiming to investigate: i) the distribution of Ostreopsis spp. cells on macroalgae and in the seawater column of the Cape Ghir area (North-West of Agadir) during the summer season of Ostreopsis from July 15 to November 17, 2020; ii) the toxic profile at the level of the three matrices (benthic Ostreopsis attached to macroalgae, Ostreopsis in the water column and mussels) via chemical analysis using mass spectrometry. A taxonomic study of Ostreopsis spp. was carried out using the light and inverted optical microscopes. Chemical analysis showed the presence of ovatoxins (OvTX-A and OvTX-B) in Ostreopsis samples in low quantities, in the order of fg.cell −1 and at levels below the limit of quantification (0.04 g.mL −1) in mussels. Morphological observations showed that the cells were ovoid and flattened, large, and ventrally pointed with a dorsoventral diameter (DV) and width (W) of 57- and 33-, respectively, and a dorsoventral/anteroposterior diameter (DV/AP) of about 3.23

Trace metal distribution in pelagic fish species from the north-west African coast (Morocco)

Abstract In the current study, ten elements contents (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Cd, Pb and Hg) have been measured in muscle and liver of four pelagic fish species (Engraulis encrasicolus, Sardina pilchardus, Scomber japonicus and Trachurus trachurus) from the north-west African coast (South Atlantic Moroccan coast), collected during summer and autumn seasons (July and December 2013, respectively). Significant differences in metal contents were found between the different species (p < 0.05). Metals levels were also much higher in liver than those recorded in muscle tissues. The concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cd, Co, Cu and Pb were significantly higher in mackerel liver (p < 0.05).While, in muscle, anchovy presents a higher content of Mn, Cu, Cr, Ni and Pb. A high level of cadmium was recorded in liver of the different species which can be attributed to an anthropogenic source (phosphate industry) and to natural sources (upwelling activities). The main concentration of toxic elements (Cd, Pb and Hg) recorded in the four edible muscles of pelagic fish species, under study, were below the established values by the European Commission Regulations and show that their effect on the consumers health can be considered as negligible

Additional file 1: of Quality of life in Arab women with breast cancer: a review of the literature

Excluded studies and reasons for exclusion. (DOC 55 kb