Factors affecting nursing and health technician students' satisfaction with distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco: a survey-based observational study.

PURPOSE: Distance learning describes any learning based on the use of new multimedia technologies and the internet to allow students to acquire new knowledge and skills at a distance. This study aimed to deter-mine satisfaction levels with distance learning and associated factors among nursing and health technician students during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Morocco. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted between April and June 2022 among nursing and health technician students using a self-administered instrument. The student satisfaction ques-tionnaire consists of 24 questions categorized into 6 subscales: instructor, technology, course setup, interac-tion, outcomes, and overall satisfaction. It was based on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with student satisfaction during distance learning. RESULTS: A total of 330 students participated in this study, and 176 students (53.3%) were satisfied with the distance learning activities. A mean score higher than 2.8 out of 5 was obtained for all subscales. Multiple regression analysis showed that students' year of study (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.34; 95% CI, 1.28-4.27) and internet quality (aOR=0.47; 95% CI, 0.29-0.77) were the significant factors associated with students' satisfaction during distance learning. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the satisfaction level of students and factors that influenced it during distance learning. A thorough understanding of student satisfaction with digital environments will contrib-ute to the successfully implementation of distance learning devices in nursing.

The cultural epidemiology of stigma among people with schizophrenia : Adaptation and cross-cultural validation of the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue (EMIC), in Dialectal Arabic (Darija), Morocco.

INTRODUCTION: Stigma underlies the violation of certain social, economic, and cultural rights of patients with schizophrenia, including their access to treatment and care. Measurement of stigma remains as complex and multifaceted as the phenomenon itself. Several measurement tools are available to assess the prevalence, intensity and qualities of stigma. The aim of the study was to carry out a cross-cultural adaptation of the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue (EMIC), in the Moroccan Arabic dialect commonly known as "Darija". PATIENTS AND METHOD: The study was conducted in three psychiatric departments of public hospitals in the Souss-Massa region, located in southern Morocco. For the diagnosis of schizophrenia, the study was based on the decisions of the psychiatrists practicing at the study sites. The cross-cultural adaptation in Moroccan Darija of the stigma scale developed by Michel Weiss in the EMIC was carried out according to the six-step scientific method developed by Dorcas et al. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha (internal consistency) was 0.845. Convergent validity determined by Pearson's coefficient showed a significant inter-item correlation and the intra-class correlation coefficient (test-retest) was 0.975 (0.993; 0.991). The item added in relation to the COVID-19 situation presented psychometric values similar to the others. CONCLUSION: The Darija version is culturally acceptable and can be used to approach the phenomenon of stigmatization in Morocco.

Imaging Profile of the COVID-19 Infection: A Narrative Overview

In March 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 as a pandemic. At present, the curative vaccine has not yet been developed. Early detection and efficient control of the route of transmission are still the most effective way to fight the COVID-19 outbreak. Patients with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia have typical imaging features that can be helpful in early screening of highly suspected cases and in evaluation of the severity and extent of disease.

COVID-19 prevention and control interventions: What can we learn from the pandemic management experience in Morocco?

COVID-19 is one of the worst outbreaks in infectious disease history. Through a succession of significant preventative and control interventions, Morocco has accumulated pandemic control experience. This study examines the available evidence on lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic management experience in Morocco. Social lockdown measures have helped restrain the exponential spread of new cases. These interventions appear to be reasonably successful. Their effectiveness must be confirmed by an assessment of other factors. This experience can help all countries develop effective pandemic prevention and control measures.

E-learning in health professions education during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review.

As an alternative to traditional teaching, e-learning has enabled continuity of learning for health professions students during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This review explored health professions students; perceptions, acceptance, motivation, and engagement with e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a systematic review was conducted by consulting 5 databases: PubMed, ERIC (Ebsco), Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument. The research protocol was previously registered in the PROSPERO registry (CRD42021237055). From 250 studies identified, 15 were selected with a total of 111,622 students. Mostly positive perceptions were reported in 7 of 12 studies, which mainly focused on technology access, possession of basic computer skills, pedagogical design of online courses, online interactions, and learning flexibility. However, predominantly negative perceptions were identified in 5 of 12 studies, which pointed out constraints related to internet connections, the use of educational platforms, and acquisition of clinical skills. Satisfactory levels of acceptance of distance learning were reported in 3 of 4 studies. For student motivation and engagement, 1 study reported similar or higher motivation than with traditional teaching, and another study indicated that student engagement significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health professions students showed a positive response to e-learning regarding perceptions, acceptance, motivation, and engagement. Future research is needed to remediate the lack of studies addressing health professions students' motivation and engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 and End-stage Kidney Disease in Morocco: Staying Safe during Dialysis

Since World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global Health Emergency at the end of January 2020 caused by the novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV, the rapid spread of this pandemic poses unprecedented challenges throughout the world. Hemodialysis patients are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia than the general population. Dialysis physicians, health workers should have clinical knowledge of epidemic COVID-19, epidemic prevention tools, and required guidelines. This paper aims to focus on the Moroccan society of nephrology recommendations and the Ministry of Health guidelines to protect both healthcare workers and hemodialysis patients from the virus. A package of measures has been recommended by the Ministry of Health to ensure continuity of health services for hemodialysis patients with Covid-19. Besides, the Moroccan society of nephrology recommendations has been adopted to ensure quality care for this vulnerable category throughout the epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Clinical & Experimental Investigations is the property of Modestum Publications and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)