Poor sleep quality, a global public health concern, poses a significant burden on individuals, particularly health care university students facing intense academic stress. A three-center cross-sectional study was conducted at the Higher Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences in Tetouan (Morocco), Faculty of Medicine in Tangier (Morocco) and Faculty of Nursing in Valencia (Spain). We collected various data using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Pittsburgh sleep quality questionnaire, the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) and the smartphone addiction questionnaire short-version (SAS-SV). A total of 1210 students were included in our study (mean age 20.4 years, 67.2% female, nursing students (66.2%) and medical students (33.8%), 76.1% students from Morocco and 33.9% from Spain). Analysis revealed a higher prevalence of poor sleep quality among Moroccans students compared to Spanish ones (p < 0.001), that nursing students showed less favorable sleep quality than medical students (p < 0.011) and that living with a chronic disease was linked to less favorable sleep quality (p < 0.001). Lastly, intense or weak physical activity and smartphone addiction were correlated with poor sleep quality (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, an association persisted between poor sleep quality and factors such as the country of study (Odds ratio (OR): 6.25 [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 4.34–9.09]), involvement in nursing studies (OR: 3.50 [95% CI: 2.36–5.27]), and the presence of chronic diseases (OR: 2.70 [95% CI: 1.72–4.16]), (p < 0.01 each). Our findings highlight the multifaceted factors affecting sleep quality in young university students. The implications underscore the imperative of interventions tailored to this demographic group.

Introduction: Eating disorders (EDs) represent a significant mental health challenge globally, particularly among young adults, including university students. This study investigates the prevalence of ED and associated factors among Moroccan university students to inform targeted interventions and support mechanisms within the university environment. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, including students from eight institutions affiliated with Abdelmalek Essaadi University in Tangier, Morocco, were randomly selected through stratified sampling. A questionnaire comprising sections on demographics, childhood history, and the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was employed. The MINI included subscales for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge ED. Results: Study included 1168 predominantly female students (59.1%) with a mean age of 20 years. The estimated prevalence of probable ED cases was 2.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3–3), with bulimia showing the highest prevalence at 1.9% (95% CI: 1.2–2.8), followed by anorexia and binge eating at 0.3% each. Factors significantly associated with ED included medical history, treatment for anxiety/depression/addiction, sleep medication use, judicial history, psychological violence, sexual violence, and negative events during childhood/adolescence. Coexistence with mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders was also noted. Multivariate analysis showed strong association between undergoing treatment for anxiety, depression, and/or addiction (P < 0.003), judicial history (P < 0.001), and sexual violence (<0.001). Conclusion: Our findings highlight a concerning rise in ED prevalence among Moroccan university students, influenced by complex interactions with psychiatric vulnerabilities, prior judicial involvement, and experiences of childhood sexual abuse. This underscores the need for personalized treatment strategies, with a focus on students and institutions that play a key role in promoting health initiatives during this pivotal period of life.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is unpredictable and it varies from mild to severe and critical forms that are associated with a higher mortality rate. Risk factors associated with severe forms of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have been investigated worldwide. We aimed to evaluate the clinical course of severe COVID-19 patients and to compare them with the non-severe patients concerning clinical and epidemiological characteristics, biological parameters and outcomes and thus, highlight the factors associated with severe forms of COVID-19 in our country. Methods: This is a single-center, ambidirectional cohort study, conducted in Tangier’s COVID-19 care premises. We included diagnosed COVID-19 patients between August 2020 and October 2021. Sampling was performed through stratification according to clinical forms. All patients were followed-up throughout disease evolution, until remission for mild to moderate forms and 30 days after discharge for hospitalized patient’s group (severe to critical forms). Data were collected using the WHO International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection (ISARIC) case report form (CRF) and extracted from medical records alongside with interviews with patients and their relatives. Results: Among 915 included COVID-19 patients in Tangier, the non-severe group comprised 344 (37.6%) patients and the severe group comprised 571 (62.4%) patients. Some 514 were males (56.2%) and 401 were females (43.8%) and the mean age was 56.01 years (±16.76). The mean delay from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 6.65 days ±4.68 in the severe group and 5.4 days ±4.57 in the non-severe group (p<0.001). Among the severe patient’s group, 230 (40.3%) patients were admitted to the resuscitation unit, 258 (45.2%) patients were deceased during hospitalization, 313 (54.8%) were discharged alive, and 16 deaths occurred after discharge. Demographic, clinical, and biological characteristics showed significant differences between non-severe group and severe group. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed increased odds of severity with male gender (adjusted odds ratio, aOR=2.91, p<0.003), age over 65 years old (aOR=2.68, p<0.001), diabetes (aOR=2.18, p1 mg/mL) (aOR=6.09, p<0.001), superinfection (aOR=3.78, p<0.001), and baseline lymphopenia < 1000c/mm3 (aOR=8.66, p 65 years, male gender, diabetes, elevated D-dimers, baseline lymphopenia, and superinfection. To predict severe and fatal COVID-19, factors identified may be used in the development of prediction tools for COVID-19 prognosis and risk stratification. Recalling the importance of considering at-risk populations, the management of epidemics must be planned in conjunction with the specificity of each community. Findings from our study may serve for health economic analyses and research in order to assist public health decisions in the future and should be integrated into health emergency preparedness and response strategies ensuring a resilient health system.

Objective: This study aims to identify and delineate the essential components to be included in the public health internship logbook for medical students during their internships at health center facilities. Key elements to be defined include educational objectives, as well as specific skills and tasks that students are expected to acquire throughout their internship experience. Materials and methods: A comprehensive methodology was developed, structured into three distinct phases. The first phase utilized the Delphi technique to establish pedagogical objectives for public health internships. The second phase involved analyzing feedback from public health professionals who supervise students at health centers. The third and final phase focused on synthesizing internship reports submitted by students. Results: This study resulted in the definition of a set of public health competencies encompassing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required of medical students during their internships. It also facilitated the development of specific tasks to be accomplished in order to meet these educational objectives. Additionally, self-evaluation forms for students and evaluation forms for supervisors to assess and validate the completed tasks were prepared. Conclusion: This work highlights the essential elements for the development of a public health internship Logbook for medical students in health centers. The integration of an internship guide, based on clearly defined pedagogical objectives and a competency-based approach, along with self-assessment and validation tools, significantly enhances student performance. By promoting individual reflection and experience sharing, this process not only improves practical skills but also encourages learners to develop critical thinking and self-confidence. This contribution is valuable and relevant for a wide audience, including students, teachers, researchers, curriculum developers and policymakers. It highlights the crucial role of health center internships in shaping medical education and training.

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, several studies have been conducted around the world in an attempt to understand this heterogeneous and unpredictable disease and to prevent related death. It was therefore necessary to study the associated risk factors of Covid-19-related mortality. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical profile and to identify the factors associated with mortality of patients with Covid-19 in Morocco. We performed a mixed cohort study (retrospective and prospective) of 615 in-patients with Covid-19 disease, enrolled between August 2020 and October 2021. We followed the cohort throughout the hospitalization until discharge and 30 days thereafter. The median age was 64 years old; 62.1% of the patients were male. The mean time from symptom onset to hospitalization was 8.5 days (±4.67), and 68.1% of patients had comorbidities. On admission, the most common symptoms were dyspnea (82.2%), cough (80.3%), and fever (76.8%). The main follow-up complication was secondary infection (56.9%). Based on univariate analysis, male gender (p<0.008 and brut relative risk {_bRR}=1.57), advanced age (p<0.001), lung involvement (p<0.001), lymphopenia (p500 µg/l (p130 mg/l (p<0.001 and _bRR=2.45), elevated creatinine (p500 U/l (p<0.001 and _bRR=7.16), receiving corticosteroids (p<0.001 and _bRR=5.08), invasive ventilation (p<0.001 and _bRR=30.10), the stay in the resuscitation unit (p<0.001 and _bRR=13.37), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (p<0.001 and _bRR=10.98) were associated with a higher risk of death. In the opposite, receiving azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine (p<0.001 and _bRR=0.28) and pre-admission anticoagulants (p60 years (p<0.001 and adjusted odds ratio {aOR}=4.90), the use of invasive ventilation (p<0.001 and aOR=9.60), the stay in the resuscitation unit (p<0.001 and aOR=5.09), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (p60 years, the use of invasive ventilation, the stay in the resuscitation unit, and acute respiratory distress syndrome were independent predictors of Covid-19 mortality. The results of this study can be used to improve knowledge for better clinical management of Covid-19 in-patients.