Sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence among female migrants in Morocco: a cross sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, Morocco has increasingly become the chosen destination for a growing number of migrants from neighbouring countries and especially from Sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study is to describe the sexual and reproductive health (SRH), as well as sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) among female migrants in Morocco. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between July and December 2021. Female migrants were recruited from one university maternity hospital and two primary healthcare centres in Rabat. Data were collected using a structured face-to-face questionnaire, which included information about sociodemographic characteristics, SRH, history of SGBV and its impact, as well as the utilization of preventive and supportive SGBV services. RESULTS: A total of 151 participants were included in this study. The majority of participants (60.9%) were aged 18 to 34 years old and 83.3% were single. Many participants (62.1%) did not use contraceptives. More than half (56%) of the participants who were pregnant at the time of the study were receiving pre-natal care. About 29.9% of interviewed participants reported experiencing female genital mutilation, and a significant majority (87.4%) experienced SGBV at least once during their lifetimes, while 76.2% experienced SGBV during migration. The most commonly reported form of violence was verbal abuse (75.8%). Among the victims of SGBV, a minority have visited a health facility (7%) or filed a complaint (9%) in the aftermath of violence. CONCLUSION: Overall, our findings showed low contraception coverage, moderate access to prenatal care, high prevalence of SGBV, and low utilization of preventive and supportive SGBV services among migrant women in Morocco. Further studies are needed to understand the contextual barriers to access, and utilization of SRH care and additional efforts should be undertaken to strengthen SGBV prevention and support systems.

Mapping University-Based Master of Public Health Programs in the Arab world.

Background: The Arab world faces numerous health challenges that mandate a competent public health workforce and strengthening public health education. Objective: To analyze university-based Master of Public Health (MPH) programs offered at Faculties of Public Health (FPH) and of Medicine (FM) in Arab countries. Methods: We searched a regional database of academic public health institutions, conducted a search of university websites, and reviewed websites of the Association of Arab Universities and World Directory of Medical Schools. A factsheet for each MPH program was emailed to deans of respective faculties for validation and completion. We examined associations between presence of such programs and population size and Human Development Index (HDI). Findings: A total of 19 FPH and 10 FM at 28 universities offer MPH programs (7 programs per 100 million population). Ten countries offer no MPH programs; the remaining 12 offer 1-5 programs each. Ten MPH programs were initiated over 45 years (1965-2009) and another 19 over 10 years (2010-2019). No correlation was observed between offering an MPH program and the country's HDI or population size. Less than half of the programs admit students from fields outside health. FPH and FM-based programs are comparable in offering core disciplines but FPH programs offer more Social and Behavioral Sciences (83% vs. 60%). More FM-based programs provide practicum training (78% vs. 53%); 10 programs offer none. Epidemiology, alone or with Biostatistics, and Health Management and Policy are the two most frequently offered MPH concentrations. None of the MPH programs offer a concentration on public health in conflict or humanitarian crises; only one offers a certificate on the theme. Only three programs, all FPH-based, reported international accreditation. Conclusions: The recent increase in MPH programs in Arab countries is encouraging. Critical gaps are absence of MPH programs in 10 countries, less coverage of the social sciences, and lack of practicum experience in 10 programs. Upgrading and promoting public health education across the region to fill these gaps calls for collaboration among existing MPH programs. More in-depth analysis of the history and mission of these programs, as well as their admission criteria and curricula, is needed.