Prevalence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among School-age Adolescent

Aim: After a traumatic event, the person can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the purpose of the study is to assess the prevalence of PTSD in adolescents in public middle schools of the prefecture of Salé in Morocco and study anxiety and depression which are the comorbid disorders of the PTSD. The survey was carried out from March to June 2017.Methods: 523 students were selected by the cross-sectional method from fifteen schools that were randomly selected, the age of the students vary between 12 and 17 years. For the survey, standardized questionnaires (the socio-demographic data, the Life Events Checklist, the CPTS-RI (Children's Post Traumatic Stress Reaction Index), the STAIY (State Trait Inventory Anxiety Form Y) and the CDI (Children Depression Inventory) were used which were filled in by the students Results: The prevalence of PTSD was 70.4% in the students who have PTSD. We found that the prevalence in boys was 46.74%, while in girls it was 53.26%. In addition to that, 81% of students found to be anxious and 51.8% of students have depression. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of post traumatic stress disorder among adolescents, there are practical implications for the support and care of these adolescents

Acceptance of sugar reduction in yoghurt among Moroccan population

Introduction: Morocco has recently developed a plan of reducing sugar consumption to reinforce prevention of non-communicable diseases and to contribute to the achievement of global voluntary targets for non-communicable diseases set by ICN2 by 2025. The objective of the present study was to assess acceptance of yogurts with different percentage reduction of sugar by the Moroccan population.Methods: a total of 201 participants (age > 15 y.) were recruited to determine the level of sugar reduction in yogurt. Sucrose was added to a plain yoghurt in the following different concentrations 166.5; 149.8; 133.2; 116.5; 99; 83.2 mM/l, corresponding to the reduction of sugar of 0%, -10%, -20%, -30%, -40% and -50%, respectively, compared available yogurt in local market. Overall, the acceptability scores of the different yoghurts were based on liking, "Just About Right" (JAR) and purchase intent scales was used to score the different yoghurts.Results: yogurts containing -20% and -30% added sugar were highly accepted by 81% and 74% of respondents. Based on JAR score, yoghurt with 20% (133.2mM/l) and 30% (116.5 mM/l) reduction were considered as "just about right" by 42.7% and 44.3% respectively. Best average score of purchase intent was obtained for sucrose concentration of 149.8 mM/l. 35.8% and 40.3% for yoghurt with sucrose concentration of 133.2 mM/l and 116.5 mM/l respectively.Conclusion: the finding from this study indicated that yogurts containing -20% and -30% added sugar were most accepted by respondents. Advocacy before dairy industry to have them commit towards sugar reduction in yogurt is needed, in order to help achieving the national sugar reduction strategy in Morocco

Vitamins A and D Fortification of Milk and Their Impact on Nutritional Status of School Children in Rural Regions of Morocco.

Objectives: Vitamins A and D deficiencies constitute a major public health problem in Morocco. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of consumption of vitamins A and D fortified milk on the nutritional status of school children in rural areas Methods: This study is a double-blinded longitudinal one targeting children, 7-9y old (n = 380). Children were divided in two groups: a non fortified group (NFG) received 200 ml of non fortified UHT milk and a fortified group (FG) received 200 ml UHT milk fortified with vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) and vitamin D (D3) to cover 30% of RDA. Clinical assessment, anthropometry, morbidity, alimentary and socioeconomic surveys, blood samples collection were performed at baseline (T0), 4 months (T4) and 9 months (T9). Vitamins A and D were assessed in serum. Cognitive test based on Raven matrix was assigned to children at T0 and T9. Results: At T9 FG showed: 18% reduction of stunting, elimination of the vitamin A deficiency (from 50% to 4,3%), reduction of vitamin D deficiency (from 60% to 25,5%). Cognitive tests showed no significant difference between the two groups. At T9 in the NFG we observed a decrease in vitamins A and D deficiency prevalence probably due to the fact that non fortified whole milk contains residus of Vit A (27 μg/100 ml) and Vit D (0,5 μg/100 ml) Conclusions: The national strategy of vitamins (A and D3) fortification is a success story in Morocco. This study was performed with the support of "Fondation Centrale Laitière pour la nutrition de l'enfant"

Efficacy Study of the Consumption of Iron Fortified Milk on the Iron Nutritional Status of Children in Morocco.

Objectives: Iron deficiency constitutes a major public health problem in Morocco. In line with the National Strategy for Nutrition 2011 – 2019, we undertook a double-blinded longitudinal efficacy study of consumption of iron fortified milk on iron status of children living in rural region at high altitude Methods: Children (n = 380), aged 7 to 9 years, living under normal conditions and without preliminary deworming, were divided in two groups: a non fortified group (NFG) received 200 ml of non fortified UHT milk and a fortified group (FG) received 200ml UHT milk fortified with iron sulfate to cover 30% of RDA. Clinical assessment, anthropometry, morbidity, alimentary and socioeconomic surveys, blood samples collection and cognitive tests (Raven test) were performed at baseline (T0), 4 months (T4) and 9 months (T9). Hemoglobin was estimated in situ by Hemocue device, ferritine and CRP were assessed in serum. Results: The prevalence of anemia (Hb<11,5 g/dl), for the FG was 2,6% at baseline and 0% at T9. For the NFG, it was 3,4% at baseline and 1,8% at T9. At T9 FG showed a reduction of iron deficiency (serum ferritine<12 μg/L) from 50% to 36,4%. Cognitive tests showed no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions: The milk is a good vehicle for iron fortification, there was a reduction of Iron Deficiency in FG and no change in NFG. This study was performed with the support of “Fondation Centrale Laitière pour la nutrition de l’enfant”.

Comparison of ICHECK Fluoro Kit with Highperformance Liquid Chromatography for the Assessment of Serum Retinol Concentration.

Objectives: Assessment of serum retinol of a population is a valuable mean for the study of vitamin A status (VAS). Portable kits may be an interesting alternative for the assessment of VAS in vulnerable populations. The aim of this study was to validate the ICHECK Fluoro device as an alternative for the assessment of serum retinol concentration Methods: Serum samples from 89 school-age children were analysed by HPLC after deproteinization and extraction phases. Analysis by ICHECK was undertaken after injection of serum into the reagent vials and manual vigorous mixing. After precipitation of the content of the vial, it was introduced into the reading chamber of the ICHECK Fluoro and analysed at 0 min (ICHECK0min) and 15 min later (ICHECK15min). Bland and Altman approach was applied to test the agreement. Results: Mean HPLC, ICHECK0min and ICHECK15min values were 421.2±106.0 μg/L, 423.1±118.3 μg/L and 413.2±107.6 μg/L, respectively. There was a significant difference between ICHECK0min and ICHECK15min values indicating a decrease of retinol in the vial solution (p<0.001). Comparison with HPLC showed a proportional bias of r=-0.038, p=0.73 for ICHECK0min and r=-0.024, p=0.82 for ICHECK15min. Fixed biases (HPLC minus ICHECK) for ICHECK0min and ICHECK15min were respectively -1.9±23.1 μg/l (p=0.45) and 8.0±22.7 μg/l (p=0.002). Conclusions: The ICHECK Fluoro showed concordant agreement with HPLC for the assessment of serum retinol. We recommend that the use of the kit be instantaneous directly after the precipitation phase. This study was performed with the support of Sight and Life and "Fondation Centrale Laitière pour la nutrition de l'enfant".

Iodine Fortified Milk Reduces Prevalence of Iodine Deficiency Disorder in School Children in Morocco.

Objectives: Iodine deficiencies compromise the health and the development of many school-age children worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of iodine fortified milk consumption among Moroccan schoolchildren (n = 193) in rural region. Methods: Iodine status was assessed in 79 children aged 7–9 y before and after consumption of 200mL UHT fortified milk (providing 30% RDA for iodine) daily for 9-months compared to a control group (n = 114) who consumed non-fortified milk. Anthropometric measurements and urine samples were collected and analysed at baseline, 4 months (T4) and 9 months (T9). Results: Severe iodine deficiency was prevalent among the intervention group. At T4 and T9, there was a marked improvement of severe iodine deficiency in the fortified group (8.9% at the baseline, 1.4% at T4 and 0% at T9). The prevalence of moderate iodine deficiency was reduced from the baseline to the end of the study ranging from 36.8% to 6.4%. While for the mild iodine deficiency, the prevalence was increased at T4 (61.9%) and then decreased at T9 (23.6%). A significant reduction of the prevalence of iodine deficiency was observed in the control group certainly due to the presence of residual iodine in the whole non fortified milk (10.4μg/100ml). Conclusions: The consumption of iodine fortified milk led to a clear improvement of iodine status among schoolchildren of rural. This study was performed with the support of "Fondation Centrale Laitière pour la Nutrition de l'Enfant".