E-learning experience during Convid-19 pandemic management:Perception of secondary schools teachers' in Morocco.

Around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic quickly led to the closure of educational institutions in the hope of reducing infections and fatalities due to this disease. Distant education is becoming a policy priority, although institutions and teachers are neither experienced nor accustomed to its use. The purpose of this study is to determine secondary school teachers' perceptions and requirements of distance education during confinement. To our knowledge, none of the similar studies conducted in this area has approached this issue in Morocco. To determine teachers' perceptions regarding distance education, we conducted an analytical and descriptive survey among secondary school teachers in May, June, and July 2020.The chi-square test has been used to test the association between all variables. The association was considered significant when the p-value < 0.05. The calculation of the chi² (X²) and the p-value is performed using R software. The grouping of responses show that most teachers have been teaching remotely during confinement using Whatsapp. They confirmed that this is a useful way to ensure pedagogical continuity during the break from classroom teaching, and they also indicated a preference for both face-to-face and hybrid tutoring.Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between the subjects taught and distance education (X2= 67.4 with p = 0.01), and a low correlation between training follow-up and distance education during the confinement period r = 0.12. This national study, focused in the secondary school teachers, is pertinent and has showen the extent of the problems of continuous teacher training, as well as strategies that are not evaluated and which do not take into account the perceptions of the actors, including the teacher. This data will be valuable and can be used to establish appropriate measures for improving distance learning tools and the quality and competencies of the actors.

Cartography and Epidemiological Study of Leishmaniasis Disease in Sefrou Province (2007-2010), Central North of Morocco.

Increasing cases of leishmaniasis disease have been reported during recent years in Sefrou Province, Central North of Morocco. This study presents the epidemiological profile of the provincial population, aims at analyzing the epidemiological profile, and in particular, spatiotemporal follow-up of all cases of leishmaniasis. It is a retrospective analysis of leishmaniasis cases recorded between 2007 and 2010. The data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 20). Over a four-year period, from 2007 to 2010, there were 62 cases of leishmaniasis, 93.12% of cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis and 6.87% of visceral leishmaniasis. The case number of leishmaniasis in the Province of Sefrou varies between 0.165% and 0.0018%. For each type of leishmaniasis, the female sex was the most affected compared to the male sex. This difference cannot be considered statistically significant (χ2 = 0.083, p value = 0.77). For cutaneous leishmaniasis, all age groups were affected with a large percentage: patients aged 0-9 years with 63.11% followed by the age group [10-19] with 24.18%. Visceral leishmaniasis mainly has affected the infant population [0-9] with 83.33%. We have not observed any association between the age classes and the leishmaniasis type (χ2 = 6.20, p value = 0.4). From a spatial point of view, the majority of cases of leishmaniasis was reported in El Menzel region (67 cases) followed by Sefrou (64 cases) and Tazouta (38 cases). There is a statistically significant relationship between the type of leishmaniasis and the studied regions (χ2 = 52; p value <0.001). The study of the epidemiological profile of leishmaniasis cases may be useful in enlightening health authorities to develop screening, treatment, and control strategies to reduce the incidence rate of the disease. Other research studies can be conducted to the dynamics of the vectors of sandflies and their ecology.

Screening of congenital hyperthyroidism in Morocco: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: In Morocco we have no reliable information on the incidence of congenital hypothyroidism (HC). AIMS: The aim of our study was to explore the feasibility of a neonatal screening program for this disease in Morocco. METHODS: We conducted a screening campaign in the HC 15 615 newborns in the wilaya of Fez in north-central Morocco. Positive cases have been followed up during seven years. Over the same period, we conducted a retrospective qualitative study among parents of newly screened positive newborns and health professionals. RESULTS: Twelve cases of hypothyroidism have been confirmed, a frequency 1p1301 births. When excluding 4 cases of hypothyroidism transients, the frequency of HC becomes 1p1952 births, athyreosis represents 25% of cases, partial agenesis 25% of cases and 50 % of cases had normal thyroid glands in place; 67% are female and 33% male. The average age of testing was 17.1 ± 6.6 days and the start of treatment was 43.4 ± 8.7 days. Tracking cases brought under replacement therapy showed a good evolution of anthropometric parameters and psychomotor. The qualitative study found that parents are monitoring their babies very seriously despite the very low socio-economic class of the vast majority of them. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study support the need for the establishment of a neonatal screening programme for congenital hypothyroidism in Morocco.

[Imported malaria in northern central Morocco, 1997-2007]. / Le paludisme importé dans le Centre Nord du Maroc entre 1997 à 2007.

After the elimination of autochthonous malaria in Morocco in 2004, control of imported malaria, based on epidemiological monitoring of the parasite and vector control, has become a priority. This retrospective study concerns imported malaria cases identified by optical microscopy at the regional epidemiological diagnostic laboratory of the Regional Health Department of Fes from 1997 through 2007. The results obtained showed that 56 of 68 (82%) samples examined were positive. Women accounted for 21% of cases, and all patients were older than 15 years. The positive cases were imported from 13 African countries, in particular, Côte d'Ivoire (14%) and Congo and Burkina Faso (11%). Incidence was highest in 2002 with 11 cases, 1998 with 9 cases, and 2004 and 2005, with 8 each year. Only one death was recorded, in 2002. The species found were Plasmodium falciparum, in 50 cases (89%), Plasmodium vivax in 4 (7%) and Plasmodium ovale in 2 (4%). The city of Fes, capital of the Fes-Boulemane region in northern central Morocco, as a capital, university town, and important spiritual centre, attracts many visitors from countries of sub-Saharan Africa where malaria is endemic. It is thus essential to maintain a high level of malaria monitoring and control in this area. The results of this study will undoubtedly help to guide the programme for imported malaria control and monitoring in our area, as well as the national programme against this disease.