Estimated 24-Hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion in adults in the Northwest Region of Morocco, 2017.

BACKGROUND: Excessive sodium (Na) and insufficient potassium (K) intake contribute to a high risk of cardiovascular events. Morocco lacks data on actual Na and K intake in adults. We estimated mean Na and K intake in a Moroccan population of adults residing in the Northwest region using 24-h urinary excretion and examined their association with blood pressure (BP). METHODS: A total of 371 adults from this region, who were recruited for the STEPs Survey Morocco 2017, completed demographic, anthropometric as well as BP data and provided a valid 24-h urine collection according to the standard World Health Organization (WHO) protocol. Multiple Linear Regression analysis was used to examine the association between 24-h urinary sodium (24-hUNa) and 24-h potassium excretion (24-hUK) with BP. RESULTS: Mean Na excretion was 2794 mg/day and mean K excretion was 1898 mg/day. Overall, only 114 (30.7%) adults met the WHO recommendation for Na intake (< 2000 mg/d) and 31 (8.4%) met the adequate level for K intake (⩾3510 mg/d). There was no association between 24-hUNa and 24-hUK with BP (P > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Na intake was higher and K intake was lower than WHO recommendations in the study population. There was no association between estimated Na and K intake levels with BP in this population.

Prevalence of iodine deficiency among Moroccan women of reproductive age.

BACKGROUND: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) affects nearly 1.9 million people worldwide. Iodine deficiency (ID) remains a public health concern not only for pregnant women, but for women of reproductive age (WRA) as well. This study was planned to evaluate the iodine status and the prevalence of iodine deficiency in a nationally representative sample of Moroccan WRA according to their socio-economic data and living areas. METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional national survey conducted on 1652 WRA aged between 18 and 49 years. Iodine status was assessed by the evaluation of the urinary iodine concentration (UIC) on spot urinary samples, using the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction, and by the estimation of iodine-rich food consumption, using a food frequency questionnaire. The World Health Organization cutoff of a median UIC of < 100 µg/l was used to define ID in the population. RESULTS: The median UIC [20th- 80th] was 71.3 µg/l [37.5-123.1] and 71% of participants had UIC < 100 µg/L, indicating insufficient iodine status and mild iodine deficiency. WRA from urban and rural areas showed an UIC median of 75.94 µg/l [41.16-129.97] and 63.40 µg/l [33.81-111.68], respectively. Furthermore, ID prevalence was significantly higher in rural areas (75.6%) as compared to urban areas (67.9%) (p < 0.05). Food frequency questionnaires analyses highlighted that dairy products are the most commonly consumed iodine-rich food, reported to be consumed daily by 43.1% of WRA. Of particular interest, 83.5% of WRA reported a weekly consumption of fish. CONCLUSION: ID is still a public health problem in Morocco highlighting the necessity to implement effective national program, including efficient salt iodization, effective nutritional education and awareness, to control iodine deficiency and prevent IDD development.

Implementing the national strategy of salt reduction in Morocco: the baker´s perspective.

INTRODUCTION: Morocco launched a national salt reduction strategy in 2019. The commitment of bakeries is key in the success of this strategy. However, the evaluation of such a commitment is not yet done. This study aims to examine knowledge of bakers about the national strategy of salt reduction and evaluate their commitment in implementing the specific recommendation related to salt reduction in bread. METHODS: a quantitative exploratory study targeted bakeries (N=432) from all the administrative regions of Morocco. Data was collected using a questionnaire composed of three sections: knowledge of bakers related to national strategy of salt, current contribution of bakers in implementing the national strategy and future commitment towards implementing the national strategy. RESULTS: about 73% (n=317) bakers lack of knowledge about the recommendations on the progressive reduction of the salt content in bread. Radio and TV were the most used sources to obtain information by bakers (45.2% (n=52) and 35.6% (n=41) respectively). None of the bakers was informed about the process of gradual reduction of salt content in bread, and none of them was committed to it. A total of 60.32% (n=252) of bakeries do not respect the national recommendations of 10g of salt/Kg of flour while 89.6% (n=387) of bakers express their interest in getting committed to the process in the next 2 years. CONCLUSION: increasing the knowledge of bakers is highly recommended to guarantee their commitment toward contributing to the strategy of reducing salt in bread. Dissemination of messages via TV and radio could be appropriate.

Evolution of attitudes, trends and perceptions of smoking among middle and secondary school students in the Gharb Region, Morocco, 2010-2015.

BACKGROUND:  Tobacco use is an important public health issue. Morocco implemented a tobacco control programme, which has been ongoing among students at middle and secondary schools since 2010. AIM:  This study aims to compare the trend in smoking among the programme beneficiaries with the results of the initial study conducted prior to the implementation of the programme. SETTING:  This study was conducted in middle and secondary schools of the Gharb Region in Morocco between 2010 and 2015. METHODS:  Two cross-sectional studies were conducted in 2010 and 2015 in the middle and secondary schools of the Gharb Region. Multistage cluster sampling was used. The information was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS:  In the first study in 2010, 5312 students participated, and in the second one in 2015, 4208 students participated. The level of information on smoking and its effects was higher in 2015 (94.0%) than in 2010 (92.5%). In 2010, parents, primary schools and television and radio were more involved in student information on smoking compared to 2015. The proportion of students claiming that tobacco was not a pleasure (86.3%) and that it does not calm nerves (76.5%) was significantly higher in 2015 than in 2010. The prevalence of smoking increased significantly in 2015 (2.9%) against 2010 (1.8%). CONCLUSION:  This study reports the general positive evolution in knowledge about smoking and its effects. Despite that the prevalence of smokers increased in 2015. The results suggest the need to address family influences on adolescent smoking and to investigate participation of schools in education and training students in tobacco dependence prevention.