Background: Several studies showed that the perpetuation of consanguinity increases homozygosity and homogenizes the population's gene pool. This allows the expression of recessive deleterious mutations and increases the prevalence of genetic disorders and birth defects. Despite the reported negative health effects, consanguinity is still practiced in Morocco. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and socio-demographic determinants of consanguinity in the Souss region and to assess the association of this type of union with congenital disabilities and complex diseases. To meet this aim, a survey based on a cross-sectional approach was conducted between January 2019 and January 2020 among 520 randomly selected participants in the Souss region. Results: The findings revealed a high prevalence of consanguinity of 28.46%, with first-cousin unions accounting for 16.15% of all marriages. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, early age at first marriage, men’s occupation, endogamy, and parental consanguinity were predictive factors for consanguineous unions in the study population. Moreover, the results revealed a significant association between consanguinity and the incidence of physical disabilities (OR = 3.753; [95% CI 1.398–10.074]), mental retardation (OR = 5.219; [95% CI 1.545–17.631]), deafness-mutism (OR = 4.262; [95% CI 1.004–18.089]) and cardiovascular diseases (OR = 2.167; [95% CI 1.036–4.530]). However, no significant association was found between consanguinity and diabetes, cancer, asthma, epilepsy, and psychiatric disorders. Conclusion: Overall, our results suggest a high practice of consanguinity in the Souss population, associated with social, economic, and cultural factors. Consanguineous unions were associated with a high incidence of mental retardation, physical disabilities, deafness-mutism, and cardiovascular diseases. In this population, where marriage between relatives is highly preferred, awareness programs are not sufficient, and genetic studies on consanguinity-related diseases are necessary to provide specific premarital screening and thus increase the efficiency of genetic counseling.

Background: The Souss, located in southern Morocco, is one of the oldest areas of human settlement in North Africa. Despite this historical relevance, the Souss has not received sufficient attention in terms of population genetic studies.Methods: In this study, we utilized the AmpFlSTR Identifiler PCR amplification system to establish the allelic frequencies and statistical parameters of 15 autosomal STRs (Short Tandem Repeats) in 150 healthy unrelated Berber‐speaking individuals from the Souss. We explored the genetic relationships between Souss and other reference populations based on our dataset as well as previously published population data.Results: A total of 210 alleles were detected with corresponding allele frequencies ranging from 0.003 to 0.367. The most polymorphic locus was D18S51 with 23 alleles which was also the most discriminating locus as expected. The phylogenetic analysis clustered the Souss closer to the Azrou and southern Moroccan populations. The population comparison showed affinity between the Souss and most North African populations, as well as with Middle Easterners and Europeans.Conclusion: Historical events and geographical proximity have contributed to the affinity between the Souss and surrounding North African, Southern European, and Middle Eastern populations. Overall, this study highlights the reliability of the 15 STRs for identifying individuals and assessing paternity in the Souss population.

Background: During pregnancy, women can experience mental alterations, particularly anxiety and depression, which mark an important transition period in their lives. Social support appears to be a crucial alleviating factor for these disorders. The aim of this study is to assess the extent of psychological disturbances and their relieving factors by investigating correlations between mental status and different sociodemographic and clinical characteristics during the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study including 160 pregnant women in their last trimester was carried out in Morocco, notably at the Ibn Sina University Hospital and in two health centers. A pre-structured questionnaire, including sociodemographic and clinical variables and internationally recognized scales such as the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Bergen Insomnia Scale (BIS), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), was mobilized. Results: The prevalence of depression and anxiety was 18.75% and 12.5%, respectively. A correlation between these two mental disorders and the level of education, pregnancy planning, monthly income, and provision of health coverage was found (p-value < 0.05). The main determinants of anxiety were stress (p-value = 0.047) and social support (p-value < 0.001), while depression was limited to social support (p-value < 0.001) and sleep quality (p-value = 0.015). Conclusions: It is essential to take action against these disorders and their predictive factors by raising awareness and implementing a diagnosis and care protocol with healthcare professionals to guide and orient distressed women.

Ranya Bouzayan was not included as an author in the original publication