Quality of Life of Patients With Cancer at the Beni Mellal Oncology Center.

OBJECTIVES: Cancer and its treatments significantly impact individuals' lives and quality of life (QOL). Research on QOL examines these effects, encompassing physical, psychological, and social aspects. Understanding QOL factors is vital for both patients and clinicians. The evaluation of QOL of patients with cancer and its associated predictive factors has not been previously investigated within the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region of Morocco. Our primary aim was to assess the QOL experienced by patients while simultaneously identifying the determinants and predictors influencing it. METHODS: Patients were enrolled in a cross-sectional study conducted at the Beni Mellal Oncology Center. Each participant was required to fill out the Moroccan Arabic version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 questionnaire, along with a supplemental questionnaire gathering sociodemographic information. A linear regression analysis was executed to ascertain predictors of the Global Health Status (GHS) and 5 functional scales. The statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) v25 software. RESULTS: Our study included 369 patients, with an average age of 52.89. The mean score on the QLQC30 GHS Scale was 64.97. Notably, this score exhibited positive correlations with emotional, social, and role functioning scales, while demonstrating negative correlations with prostate and lung cancers, as well as the presence of pain. Furthermore, the presence of fatigue exhibited associations with all functioning scales, except for social functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Patients exhibited a favorable GHS. However, it is noteworthy that prostate cancer, lung cancer, the presence of pain, and diminished emotional, social, and role functioning emerged as independent factors significantly associated with poorer GHS.

The triad of knowledge, regular medical consultation, and recommendations for enhanced breast cancer screening intention in Morocco.

PURPOSE: The low rate of breast cancer screening in Morocco is linked to delayed diagnosis and increased mortality rates. Furthermore, there is a lack of research on the association between screening intention and knowledge levels. Our objective was to assess the level of knowledge regarding breast cancer and screening, identify the determinants of this knowledge, and determine predictive factors for screening intention. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 1014 women in the city of Essaouira, Morocco, during the years 2018-2020. A stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors using SPSS software. RESULTS: We found an above-average level of knowledge (67%). These knowledge levels were associated with several personal characteristics. Moreover, these knowledge levels proved to be powerful predictive factors for the intention to undergo screening, along with regular medical consultations and recommendations to undergo screening. CONCLUSION: Women had a high level of knowledge about breast cancer and its characteristics. These knowledge levels were strongly associated with the intention to undergo screening. However, despite this, the low participation rate encourages the reinforcement of research to align knowledge, intention, and screening practices.

Knowledge and Attitudes about Mother-to-Child Transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus in a Context of Social Vulnerability: The Case of the Province of Essaouira, Morocco.

Background: Despite health education efforts, pregnant women still face major health problems.The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women on measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus in a context of social vulnerability. Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey of 384 pregnant women randomly selected from the 20 health districts in the province of Essaouira. This study was carried out from January 2022 to June 2022. A questionnaire was used, and bivariable logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women about mother-to-child transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus. Results: Low knowledge (75.8%) and negative attitudes (72.7%) about preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV were observed in study participants. The knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women about the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV varied by education level, number of children, and source of information. There was a very significant correlation between knowledge and attitude (p=0.000). Conclusion: A significant number of pregnant women have incomplete knowledge and attitudes about preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Actions to increase the knowledge of pregnant women are essential. The capacity of healthcare providers should also be strengthened to improve the quality of care.

Predictors of herbal medicine use among cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Moroccan studies have shown a high frequency of use of traditional and complementary medicines (T&CM). No survey has investigated the predictive factors of the use of traditional herbal medicine. This study aims to assess the prevalence, the determinants, and the predictors of this use. METHODS: At the regional oncology center of Beni Mellal, we conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with 530 adult cancer patients chosen by quota sampling. A 54-item questionnaire was used to perform the face-to-face survey. The Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) healthcare model was used to create this instrument. RESULTS: The prevalence of traditional herbal medicine use was 36.6%. Several variables of the conceptual model were associated with the use of herbal medicine (gender, attitude, and belief towards T&CM, financial resources, and clinical characteristics of patients) (p < 0.05). Predictors of traditional herbal medicine use were female gender (OR = 4.687; p < 0.000), social impact of cancer (OR = 2.314; p < 0.05), emotional impact of cancer (OR = 2.314; p < 0. 05), expected benefits of T&CM use (OR = 3.453; p < 0.000), perceived scientific barriers (OR = 0.580; p < 0.000), perceived socioeconomic barriers (OR = 0.657; p < 0.005), and social norms of relatives (OR = 3.238; p < 0.000). CONCLUSION: The use of herbal medicine is quite frequent. The profile of users is represented by women who experience pain and the psychosocial impact of cancer and who have positive beliefs about TCMs, are influenced by their relatives and who did not perceive the barriers of this use.

Efficacies and side effects of medicinal plants used by patients with cancer in Morocco: A retrospective treatment-outcome study.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Medicinal plants have long been used as traditional medicines in Morocco. Patients with cancer frequently use medicinal plants, with a frequency ranging from 11% to 39%. No studies have evaluated these patients in the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region. AIM OF STUDY: We investigated the beneficial and adverse effects of medicinal plants used by patients with cancer in this region. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of the outcomes of traditional treatment with medicinal plants (retrospective treatment-outcome study: RTO) in 194 patients with cancer at the regional oncology centre of Béni Mellal. RESULTS: Beneficial effects were reported by 39% of patients. All users of the seeds of Prunus armeniaca L. reported beneficial effects (100%), followed by Curcuma longa L. (50%). We did not observe any significant difference in efficacies between the most commonly used plants (P > 0.05). Patients with cancer who had a low socioeconomic level experienced greater benefits from herbal medicines (p < 0.05). The prevalence of adverse effects was 16%. Juniperus oxycedrus L. was perceived as the most toxic plant (13 patients), as it induced significantly greater toxicity than the other plants (P < 0.05). Patients with a cancer duration of more than 12 months reported more adverse effects (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of beneficial effects was higher than that of adverse effects. Health professionals should be aware of these effects in the process of therapeutic education. Preclinical and clinical research are considered necessary for the in-depth evaluation of the efficacies and toxicities of certain plants that have shown toxic or therapeutic potential.

La morbidité maternelle : situation et déterminants entre 2020 et 2021 dans la province d'Essaouira, Maroc.

Introduction : Maternal morbidity is a public health problem in developing countries.Purpose of research : The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of maternal morbidity among women of reproductive age in the province of Essaouira (Morocco) and to describe the factors associated with it. The authors conducted a cross-sectional structured interview survey of 1300 married women aged 18 to 49. Data entry and statistical processing were performed by the SPSS-PC 18 program.Results : The prevalence of maternal morbidity was 66.8%. The main morbidities were sexually transmitted infections (48.8%) and anemia (46.6%). Multivariate analysis showed that frequency of postnatal visits, literacy of the couple and socioeconomic level were statistically associated with maternal morbidity.Conclusion : The use of postnatal care, the fight against illiteracy and the improvement of the socio-economic level of households, are factors that would reduce maternal morbidity.

Factors Influencing Therapeutic Observance in Diabetic Subjects in the Province of Essaouira (Morocco): A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Therapeutic observance remains a major problem in managing diabetic subjects, just like in other pathologies treated by medication and lifestyle modification. This study aims to determine the rate of therapeutic observance among diabetic subjects in the province of Essaouira and to identify the factors that influence it. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 498 type 1 and 2 diabetic subjects, regularly being checked at different health centers in the province of Essaouira (Morocco). Results: Almost a quarter of the surveyed subjects (23.3%) had poor observance. The results of the binary logistic regression model show that, in order of importance, observance is associated with six factors: Availability and access to medical treatment (Odds Ratio OR: 3; 95% CI confidence interval [1.78-5.03]); the side effects related to the treatment (OR: 2.60; 95% CI [1.65-4.09]); the family support (OR: 1.58 ; 95% CI [0.95-2.61]); duration of diabetes (OR: 0.55 ; 95% CI [0.34-0.88]); the age (OR: 0.50 ; 95% CI [0.30-0.82]); awareness level about the disease (OR: 0.43 ; 95% CI [0.21-0.90]). Conclusion: The results of the present study have allowed us to identify several factors that can influence therapeutic observance, that prove necessary to be considered and acted upon.

Observance of hygiene and dietary rules and the associated factors among diabetic subjects in Essaouira Province, Morocco: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: hygiene and dietary recommendations are a fundamental pillar of diabetes management. The objective of this study is to measure the rate of observance of hygiene and dietary rules and the factors associated with these among a group of Moroccan diabetic subjects. Methods: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on 522 subjects with types 1 and 2 diabetes followed at different health centres in the province of Essaouira (Morocco). Results: non-observance of hygiene and dietary rules rate was assessed at 41,4%, (66.5% for diet, 32.4% for lifestyle and 30.8% for physical activity). Rural area (p<0.001), poor glycaemic control (p<0.001), ignorance of hygiene and dietary rules (p<0.001) and long duration of diabetes (p<0.01) are associated with non-observance of diet. Good family support (p<0.01) is associated with good observance of lifestyle recommendations, short duration of diabetes progression (p<0.01) is associated with good observance of physical activity recommendations. Conclusion: non-observance of hygiene and dietary rules is always a problem in the management of chronic diseases. Ignorance of hygiene and dietary measures, lassitude and difficulty in adapting to a new lifestyle are the main obstacles that diabetics must overcome in order to better manage their disease.

Socio-economic, cultural and demographic profile of a group of Moroccan anaemic pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a major public health problem in Morocco especially among vulnerable groups including pregnant women. Several studies have confirmed that anemia is associated with demographic, socioeconomic and cultural factors. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to describe the socioeconomic, cultural and demographic profile of a group of anemic pregnant women and to determine the conditions influencing the development of anemia in the Moroccan context. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted by structured interview among a group of Moroccan pregnant women (300 of anemic women and 425 of non-anemic). Data were collected on biodemographic and socio-economic variables, the socio-cultural conditions of the women, the characteristics of the pregnancy and information relating to anemia. RESULTS: Using the WHO classification criterion according to the severity of anemia, 40.6%, 56.6% and 2.8% of anaemic women were respectively mildly, moderately and severely anemic. Primiparity, unemployment, lower socio-economic level and illiteracy, were found to be associated with the development of anemia in pregnant women. CONCLUSION: In Morocco, nutritional problems hamper human development and improvement of health status. Knowledge of the strictness of deficiencies and factors associated are necessary to develop adapted strategies intervention to the national context.

[Prevalence and social determinants of anemia in pregnant women in Essaouira Province, Morocco]. / Prévalence et déterminants sociaux de l'anémie chez les femmes enceintes dans la Province d'Essaouira, Maroc.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to provide data on the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women and to examine factors associated with anemia in Essaouira province, Morocco. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To study the prevalence of anemia, we analyzed 3806 obstetrical files of pregnant women between February 2015 and January, 2016. 1558 women had anemia. The hemoglobin values allowed us to define and to classify anemia, and to calculate its severity in the population. To study the factors associated with anemia, we conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey among 725 pregnant women selected by simple random sampling. We collected information on bio-demographic, socio-economic and socio-cultural characteristics and performed a binary logistic regression to assess the association between these factors and anemia. Data on the food consumption among anemic women were also collected. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia was high among pregnant women in the province of Essaouira, amounting to 41%. The results of the binary logistic regression showed that anemia is associated with the gravity the woman's origin and literacy. Results showed also that the diet of anemic women was poor on iron and it could be a factor of development of anemia in this province. CONCLUSION: In Morocco, nutritional problems could hamper human development and improvement of health status. Knowledge of the prevalence and the severity of deficiencies are necessary to develop intervention strategies adapted to the national context.