Search

COVID-19 has affected all aspects of human life so far. From the outset of the pandemic, preventing the spread of COVID-19 through the observance of health protocols, especially the use of sanitizers and disinfectants was given more attention. Despite the effectiveness of disinfection chemicals in controlling and preventing COVID-19, there are critical concerns about their adverse effects on human health. This study aims to assess the health effects of sanitizers and disinfectants on a global scale. A total of 91,056 participants from 154 countries participated in this cross-sectional study. Information on the use of sanitizers and disinfectants and health was collected using an electronic questionnaire, which was translated into 26 languages via web-based platforms. The findings of this study suggest that detergents, alcohol-based substances, and chlorinated compounds emerged as the most prevalent chemical agents compared to other sanitizers and disinfectants examined. Most frequently reported health issues include skin effects and respiratory effects. The Chi-square test showed a significant association between chlorinated compounds (sodium hypochlorite and per-chlorine) with all possible health effects under investigation (p-value

Sunlight exposure is an essential source of vitamin D for many humans. However, hypovitaminosis D is a global public health problem. This study aimed to develop and validate a sun exposure score (SES) and correlate it with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in women of childbearing age. One hundred and sixty women aged 18 to 45 years residing in Meknes, Morocco, were included. A questionnaire estimating the sun exposure score and blood analysis of serum 25-OHD concentration were performed. The questionnaire's reliability and construct validity were evaluated using Cronbach's alpha and factor analysis. Spearman's test was used to assess the correlation between SES and 25-OHD levels. The score's reliability and construct validity were good, with Cronbach's alpha values >0.70 and factorial saturation ranging from 0.696 to 0.948. Serum 25-OHD levels were significantly associated with the total sun exposure score, and all SES domains (Rho was 0.615 (p < 0.0001), 0.307 (p < 0.0001), 0.605 (p < 0.0001), and 0.424 (p < 0.0001) for total SES, indoor exposure domain, outdoor exposure domain, and sun protection practice domain, respectively). In addition, median 25-OHD levels increased significantly when sun exposure was changed from insufficient to sufficient (p < 0.0001). The results suggest that the sun exposure score could be used as a clinical tool to assess vitamin D levels in women of childbearing age. ispartof: NUTRIENTS vol:15 issue:3 ispartof: location:Switzerland status: published

This cross-sectional study aimed to develop and validate a vitamin D food frequency questionnaire (VitD-FFQ) to assess vitamin D intake in Moroccan women of reproductive age. Using the method of triads, the VitD-FFQ was validated against seven-day dietary records (7d-FR) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) as a biomarker of vitamin D status in 152 women (aged 18-45 years). Participants' sun exposure scores (SES) were assessed using a specific questionnaire (SEQ). Predictors of vitamin D status were identified via linear regression models. Several statistical tests were applied to evaluate the criterion validity of the FFQ against two references methods (7d-FR and the biomarker-serum 25(OH)D). Median (Interquartile range) intakes were 7.10 ± 6.95 µg /day and 6.33 ± 5.02 µg/ day, respectively, for VitD-FFQ and 7d-FR. Vitamin D status was mainly determined by SES (R = 0.47) and vitamin D absolute food intakes derived by the VitD-FFQ (R = 0.56), which demonstrated a more significant prediction ability compared to 7d-FR (R = 0.36). An agreement was observed between the VitD-FFQ and 7d-FR (BA index of 3.29%) with no proportional bias (R2 = 0.002, p = 0.54).

Market gardening constitutes a basis for food security of urban and peri-urban households. However, market gardening is subject to the use of chemical inputs, selected varieties, and genetically modified organisms. These practices are increasingly controversial and are likely to affect the sustainability of vegetable farms. This study assessed the sustainability of 120 randomly selected market garden farms (Meknes) using the surveys and the market garden production sustainability indicator. The results show that the majority of the farms identified are characterized by low sustainability, with the agroecological dimension being the limiting factor. The improvement of the components "Ecological diversity", "Spatial organization", and "Agricultural practices" are the ways to improve the global sustainability of vegetable production in Meknes. The socio-territorial sustainability of production is characterized by a lack of training for producers, a lack of hygiene and safety in production activities, and a low contribution to employment. The economic dimension is characterized by low viability, low economic transmissibility, and financial autonomy. To perpetuate the market gardening in the city of Meknes, it appears necessary to promote ecological intensification, integrated diversification, and promotion of local inputs to the various types of market gardening farms

Unsafe pesticide use is a significant concern in rural areas, resulting in serious threats to farmer and environmental health. This problem can be especially severe in developing countries, including Morocco. However, few studies have explored the factors influencing farmers’ safety behavior regarding pesticide use in this country. Hence, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 232 arboricultural farmers in 12 counties of Morocco's Saïss Plain to assess farmers’ pesticide safety behavior. Farmers’ characteristics, knowledge of pesticides, perceived risk, health consequences, subjective norms, and safety behavior data were collected and analyzed using a structural equation model (SEM). The majority of farmers have long term experience with pesticide use, but they followed poor safety practices, including insufficient use of personal protective equipment during pesticide handling. As a result, farmers showed a high incidence of health problems related to pesticide use (e.g., skin irritation and headaches). Unsafe pesticide handling was mostly attributable to farmers’ low education levels and insufficient training. Consequently, farmers applied high amounts of pesticides to increase production quantities (an average of 12.02 kg/ha per growing season). Although banned in the country, considerable use of organochlorines (i.e., endosulfan) and organophosphorus (i.e., chlorpyrifos ethyl and chlorpyrifos methyl) were reported. Adherence to safety behaviors while handling pesticides significantly improved with high levels of pesticide knowledge (standardized path coefficient, SPC = 0.31) and the perceived severity of the associated health risks (SPC = 0.27). Conversely, uncertainty about the risks of pesticide use was associated with a lower likelihood of adopting safety measures (SPC = 0.24). Improved knowledge of safe pesticide handling and training courses on the risks posed by pesticide exposure to human and environmental health are urgently needed to improve farmers’ safety behavior in Morocco. ispartof: Sustainable Production and Consumption vol:25 pages:471-483 status: published

L'utilisation inappropriee des pesticides a des effets negatifs sur l’Homme, la faune et la flore. Le manque d’une base de donnees sur l'utilisation des pesticides dans la Prefecture de Meknes (Maroc), nous a conduit a realiser des enquetes aupres de 120 agriculteurs choisis de facon aleatoire stratifiee dans cette localite. Le questionnaire a porte sur les pesticides utilises, les moyens de protection des agriculteurs pendant la preparation de la bouillie et l’usage des pesticides, la gestion des emballages des pesticides, le rincage des pulverisateurs et l’elimination de la bouillie restante. Les resultats de l’enquete aupres des enquetes ont montre que les pesticides les plus frequemment utilises sont essentiellement des herbicides et des fongicides a des taux respectifs de 44% et 29%. Les familles chimiques des pesticides les plus recensees durant cette enquete sont celles des triazoles (21%) et des organophosphores (17%). Le glyphosate a ete la matiere active la plus utilisee (13%). Les 120 agriculteurs interroges traitaient sans protection et vivaient a cote des parcelles. Il est essentiel donc d’accentuer la sensibilisation des agriculteurs sur l’utilisation rationnelle des pesticides et l’adoption des techniques alternatives pour diminuer les impacts sur la sante et l’environnement. The inappropriate use of pesticides has negative impact on humans, fauna and flora. The lack of a database on pesticides use in the Prefecture of Meknes (Morocco), led us to conduct surveys in this locality. A stratified of 120 farmers was randomly selected. The questionnaire focused on pesticides used, farmers' protective measures during the slurry preparation and pesticides use, management of pesticide packaging, sprayers rinsing and disposal of leftover slurry. The results of this survey show that the herbicides and fungicides were the main pesticides used at 44% and 29% respectively. The chemical families of pesticides most frequently identified during this survey were triazoles (21%) and organophosphates (17%). Glyphosate is the most consumed active ingredient (13%). The 120 farmers interviewed treated without protection and lived next to the plots. It is therefore essential to accentuate farmers' awareness of the rational use of pesticides and the adoption of alternative techniques to reduce the impact on health and environment.

To assess whether knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic predicted changes in behaviors among the general Moroccan population, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 30 March and 20 April involving a total of 14,157 participants. The statistical analysis of the data included univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Our results suggest that less than ten days after the Moroccan government announced “Health state of Emergency” response to the COVID-19 outbreak, public knowledge, attitude and responses to the pandemic were relatively high. More than half the respondents (63.2%) reported that they complied with more than five of nine recommended safety measures, including avoiding going out (93.2%), and frequent handwashing with soap and water (78.2%). Factors associated with an increased likelihood to adopt safety measures included perceptions that COVID-19 was a human health risk, the pandemic will continue for a long time, availability of clear information, and a lack of medicine. The largest predictor of safety behavior change was age, participants older than 55 were more likely to adopt recommended safety behaviors. Although knowledge and perception among the general public was reasonable, more encouragement from government via health education programs is needed to maintain appropriate behaviors.

Glyphosate is one of the most frequently used organophosphorus plant protection products worldwide, and has recently been classified as probably carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research and Cancer (IARC). We aimed to evaluate the urinary levels of glyphosate and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in Moroccan children, to identify the main predictors and to perform a risk assessment. Data was collected during a cross sectional study of 48 children from an intensive agricultural area. Measurements included a questionnaire on life-style, socio-demographic and herbicide exposures. Urinary glyphosate and AMPA were extracted using solid phase extraction (SPE) and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Overall, glyphosate and AMPA were detected in 73% and 75% of urine samples, respectively. The mean concentrations were 0.97 μg L

In Morocco, due to the lack of education and the presence of a counterfeit market, pesticides constitute a major problem to be addressed by occupational and environmental health agencies. This paper aims to introduce the PaPOE (Parental Pesticides and Offspring Epigenome) prospective study and its goals, to motivate the study rationale and design, and to examine comprehensively whether multi-residue exposure to commonly used pesticides could induce epigenetic alterations through the oxidative stress pathway. The PaPOE project includes a cross-sectional study assessing the occupational exposure among 300 farmworkers in Meknes, and initiates a birth cohort of 1000 pregnant women. Data and biological samples are collected among farmworkers, and throughout pregnancy, and at birth. Oxidative stress biomarkers include Glutathione, Malondialdehyde, and 8-OHdG. Global and gene-specific DNA methylation is assessed. The study began enrollment in 2019 and is ongoing. As of 30 June 2021, 300 farmworkers and 125 pregnant women have enrolled. The results are expected to showcase the importance of biomonitoring for understanding individual risks, and to identify a number of regions where DNA methylation status is altered in the pesticides-exposed population, paving the way for an integrated biomonitoring system in Morocco and Africa to assess environmental exposures and their long-term health consequences. This work was supported by the Institutional University Cooperation program with Moulay Ismail University, which is funded by the VLIR-UOS (Phase I: 2017-2021; Contract no MA2017IUC038A104) and by the Research and Development Project “SEBIO” (Morocco, 2017–2021), funded by the ARES-CCD of the Belgian Cooperation for Development.

Introduction: Les pathologies respiratoires representent l’une des causes majeures de morbidite et de mortalite. De ce fait, l’objectif majeur de la presente investigation est d’evaluer le profil epidemiologique des pathologies respiratoires des sujets hospitalises aux services de pneumologie de Meknes (Maroc). Methodes: Pour ce faire, une etude retrospective et descriptive a ete menee sur 2842 patients hospitalises et traites aux services de pneumologie de l’hopital Mohammed V et de Sidi Said, sur une periode de cinq ans (1er janvier 2010 au 31 decembre 2014). Resultats: L’analyse des resultats a montre que les pathologies les plus repandues parmi les sujets hospitalises ont ete l’asthme (47,7 %), la tuberculose (17,48 %), les pneumopathies (11,78 %) et la bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive (BPCO) (11,29 %). L’asthme etait plus prononce chez les femmes (58,36 %) (p < 0,001) alors que la tuberculose et la BPCO etaient plus frequentes chez les hommes avec, respectivement, des taux de 56,44 % et de 89,1 % (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Les pathologies respiratoires representent un veritable probleme a la fois sanitaire et socio-economique pour les familles et les structures sanitaires de la ville de Meknes. Introduction: Respiratory pathologies represent one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the main objective of the present investigation is to evaluate the epidemiological profile of respiratory pathologies of subjects hospitalized at the pneumology department of Meknes (Morocco). Methods: For this purpose, a retrospective and descriptive study was carried out on 2842 patients hospitalized and treated at the Respiratory Departments of Mohammed V Hospital and Sidi Said, over a period of five years (January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014). Results: the analysis of the results showed that the most common pathologies among the hospitalized subjects were asthma (47.7%), tuberculosis (17.48%), pneumopathy (11.78%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (11.29%). Asthma was more pronounced in women (58.36%) (p < 0.001) while tuberculosis and COPD were more common in men with rates of 56.44% and 89.1% (p < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion: Respiratory diseases represent a real health and socio-economic problem for families and health facilities in Meknes, a city in Morocco.

Background: Respiratory diseases are a common cause of consultation and hospitalization in the paediatric service. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the epidemiological profile of respiratory infections among children in Meknes city. Methods: Data from records of children with respiratory infections admitted to the pediatric services in Meknes (Mohammed V Public Hospital and Sidi Said Hospital) in Morocco over a five-year period were extracted. Our cross-sectional observational study concerned 4040 cases hospitalized from January 1st, 2010 to December 31st, 2014, among children aged 0 to 15 and living in Meknes. Results: Hospitalizations for acute bronchiolitis (p < 0.001), asthma exacerbations (p < 0.001), acute pneumonitis (P < 0.001), bronchitis (p < 0.001), and laryngitis (P < 0.001) were more common in male patients, while females were more affected by whooping cough. Hospitalizations for bronchiolitis were more frequent in the automn-winter season in infants (< 2 years). Conclusion: Respiratory diseases constitute a significant burden of childhood illnesses. In our study, hospitalizations for respiratory illness were largely dominated by acute bronchiolitis and asthma exacerbation. Children under 5 were the most represented and the majority of hospitalized patients for respiratory diseases were male. Acute bronchiolitis was more frequent in the autumn-winter period and mainly affected the infants.Introduction: Les pathologies respiratoires representent un motif frequent de consultation et d’hospitalisation au service de pediatrie. L’objectif de cette recherche est d’etudier le profil epidemiologique des affections respiratoires infantiles dans la ville de Meknes. Methodes: Il s’agit d’une etude observationnelle transversale pourtant sur 4040 cas hospitalises pour affectionsrespiratoires aux services de pediatrie de la ville de Meknes(Hopital public Mohammed V et Sidi Said) du premier janvier 2010 au 31 decembre 2014. Ont ete inclus dans ce travail, les enfants âges de 0 a 15 ans residants a Meknes et ayant ete hospitalises aux services de pediatrie pour affections respiratoires. Resultats: Les hospitalisations pour bronchiolite aigue (p < 0,001), exacerbation d’asthme (p < 0,001), pneumopathie aigue (p < 0,001), bronchite (p < 0,001) et laryngite (p < 0,001) etaient plus frequentes chez les patients du sexe masculin, alors que le sexe feminin etait plus touche par la coqueluche. Les hospitalisations pour bronchiolite etaient plus frequentes en periode automno-hivernale chez les nourrissons (< 2 ans). Conclusion: Les hospitalisations pour affections respiratoires ont ete largement dominees par la bronchiolite aigue et l’exacerbation d’asthme. Les patients ayant moins de 5 ans ont ete les plusrepresentes dans l’etude et la majorite des cas hospitalises pour affections respiratoires etaient de sexe masculin. La bronchiolite aigue etait plus frequente en periode automno-hivernale et touchait plus les nourrissons.

In many countries, including Morocco, groundwater contamination with pesticides such as globally banned organochlorides (e.g., dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)) and some accredited organophosphates and pyrethroids poses ecological and human health risks. To assess these risks, we herein monitored pesticides in Saïss plain groundwater (Morocco) during the summer of 2017 and the winter of 2018 using polar organic chemical integrative samplers. The two types of passive samplers were deployed in 22 traditional wells for 14-20 days and subjected to solid-phase extraction. The extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using a multiresidue method, and 27 pesticides were detected in total. In the summer campaign, 22 pesticides with individual concentrations ranging from

Summary: Objective : The aim of this research is to study the epidemiological profile of hospitalisations for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the provincial hospital centre of Sidi Said. Methods : This is a retrospective and descriptive study of subjects hospitalised for asthma and COPD at the Sidi Said Hospital Centre over a period of 8 years (2005-2012). Results : COPD was more pronounced in males (93.05%), while asthma attacks were more frequent in females (52.86%). 93.04% of COPD cases were over 44 years of age and 65% of asthmatics were 45 years of age or older. Both chronic respiratory affections were more prevalent during the autumn-winter period. Conclusion : Chronic respiratory diseases represent a real health and socio-economic problem for families and health care facilities . The frequency, evolution and severity of these diseases should prompt us to conduct further research on this subject in order to find the most plausible solutions to reduce the negative repercussions. Keys words : hospitalisations; respiratory diseases; COPD; asthma; Meknes Resume: Objectif : Cette etude a pour but d’etudier le profil epidemiologique des hospitalisations pour asthme et pour bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive (BPCO) au centre hospitalier provincial de Sidi Said. Methodes : Il s’agit d’une etude retrospective et descriptive portant sur les sujets hospitalises pour asthme et pour BPCO au centre hospitalier de Sidi Said et s’etalant sur une periode de 8 annees (2005-2012). Resultats : la BPCO etait plus prononcee chez les sujets de sexe masculin (93,05 %), alors que les crises d’asthme etaient plus frequentes chez le sexe feminin avec un taux note de 52,86 %). 93,04 % des cas de BPCO avaient plus de 44 ans et 65 % des asthmatiques avaient 45 ans ou plus. Les deux affections respiratoires chroniques etaient plus repandues durant la periode automno-hivernale. Conclusion : Les pathologies respiratoires chroniques representent un veritable probleme a la fois sanitaire et socio-economique pour les familles et les structures sanitaires d’accueilles. La frequence, l’evolution et la gravite de ces maladies doivent nous inciter a mener des recherches plus poussees a propos de ce sujet afin de trouver les solutions les plus plausibles pour reduire les repercussions negatives.

Pesticide exposure has been associated with acute and chronic adverse health effects. Current evidence supports that epigenetics may mediate these effects. DNA methylation (DNAm) is one of the broadly investigated epigenetic alteration. Therefore, to date, only limited human data is linking pesticide exposure to global DNAm alterations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize pesticides exposure in women of reproductive age and investigate whether DNA methylation patterns were related to pesticides exposure level.In a pilot study among 100 women from Meknes (Morocco), we measured 45 analytes (parent molecules and their metabolites) from three chemical families of pesticides: Organochlorines, organophosphates, pyrethroids, in urine and hair using HPLC/MS-MS and GC/MS. Commercial kits were used for quantification of 8-OHdG. We used LC/MS for measuring GSH. Pyrosequencing was used to measure Alu and LINE-1 methylation in DNA isolated from whole blood samples.Pesticides are associated with genomic instability, which is proposed to be sensitive to nutritional intake and may also induce epigenetic changes. We evaluated the effect of life style and dietary intake on epigenetic instability in women. Our research prompts a re-thinking of the role of epigenetics on the understanding of the environmental exposure. We will then explore the role of epigenetic changes in the onset of cancer through the oxidative stress and DNA damage pathways.

Road traffic emission is one of the major sources of air pollution which can cause several human health problems including cardiorespiratory diseases. The aim of our study is to monitor air quality in Meknes city (Morocco) by measuring nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and benzene (C6H6) concentration mainly generated by road traffic. To this end, we deployed passive diffusion tubes at 14 sampling sites during two measurement campaigns in the summer of 2014 and the winter of 2015 using car and underground proximity sites. In parallel with the winter measurement campaign, road traffic counting sessions were conducted on the main roads of the city in order to determine average daily traffic intensity. Results of this study show that the atmospheric concentrations of NO2 and C6H6 reach maximum values in the city center and decrease towards its periphery. The average value of NO2 in all targeted sites was around 32, 59 μg / m3, which is lower than the EU limit of 40 μg / m3. The average concentration of C6H6 in Meknes was equal to 1,77 μg / m3, a value close to the quality objective set by the European Union (2 μg / m3) and well below the annual Moroccan limit (10 μg / m3). The use of GIS (geographic information system) for coupling the results of measurement campaigns and those of traffic counting made it possible to determine the areas most affected by these tracers and thus to set up very high spatial resolution cartography.