Background: In 2018, Morocco recorded more than 52,783 new cases of cancer and more than 32,962 cases of death (IARC, 2018). Cancer is always accompanied by socially constructed, differentiated and contingent interpretations and practices according to the socio-cultural and religious characteristics of each region. The aims of this study is describing the evolution of the socio-cultural and religious aspects of Moroccan cancer patients followed at the National Institute of Oncology (NIO) of RABAT between 2010 and 2020.Methods: We have prospectively studied all cancer cases diagnosed at the National Oncology Institute (NIO), Rabat in 2019. We have collected 1102 cases. The data collected was compared with the results of the study carried out in 2010 (1600 cases). Statistical analysis has been assessed by SPSS 20 software and the correlations between socio-cultural characteristics were examined using a chisquare test.Results: from a socio-economic point of view, almost all patients claim that cancer is a costly disease as well as a disease that leads to a drop in income and the inevitable impoverishment of Moroccan patients. The illiteracy rate is higher than in subsequent studies 42.4%. On the psychological level, the damage to body image has a negative impact on the marital relationship. The number of female patients who are victims of spousal divorce and separation is very high. Damage to body image (alopecia) can lead to stigmatizing behaviour. Concerning the spiritual aspect, in the Arab-Berber-Muslim culture, the impact of the occurrence of cancer is very particular, and the repercussions are assessed differently depending on the degree of conviction. for practicing believers, cancer is considered a divine trial, but for non-practicing believers, cancer is regarded as a divine punishment coming from outside. New behaviours reported by this research concern the use of ROKIA as an anti-cancer remedy, 42% of patients use ROKIA.Conclusion: It is important to take these data into account in the therapeutic management of patients in order to better relieve them, which sometimes proves difficult for the healthcare team. The main relief seems to come from the deep religious beliefs that help.
Background In 2020, Morocco recorded more than 59,370 new cases of cancer and more than 35,265 cases of death (International Agency for Research on Cancer, Annual report Morocco, 2020). Cancer is always accompanied by socially constructed, differentiated, and contingent interpretations and practices according to the socio-cultural and religious characteristics of each region. The study aims at describing the evolution of the socio-cultural and religious aspects of Moroccan cancer patients followed at the National Institute of Oncology (NIO) of Rabat between 2010 and 2020. Methods We have prospectively studied all cancer cases diagnosed at the National Oncology Institute (NIO), Rabat in 2019. We have collected 1102 cases. The data collected was compared with the results of the study carried out in 2010 (1600 cases). Statistical analysis has been assessed by SPSS 20 software and the correlations between socio-cultural characteristics were examined using a chi-square test. Results From a socio-economic point of view, almost all patients claim that cancer is a costly disease as well as a disease that leads to a drop in income and the inevitable impoverishment of Moroccan patients. The illiteracy rate is still high; rising from 38% in 2010 to 42.80% in 2020. On the psychological level, damage to body image (alopecia, mastectomy, hysterectomy,) can lead to stigmatizing and harms the marital relationship. The number of patients experiencing divorce and marital separation that seems to occur following cancer pathology remains high, despite a decrease of nearly 50% between 2010 and 2020. Concerning the spiritual aspect, in the Arab-Amazigh-Muslim culture, the impact of the occurrence of cancer is very particular, and the repercussions are assessed differently depending on the degree of conviction. For practicing believers, cancer is considered a divine test and an opportunity to improve. In the Qur’an, God tests the best of his disciples to reward them The rate of practicing believers has evolved from 49% in 2010 to 85.50% in 2020.But for non-practicing believers, cancer is regarded as a divine punishment coming from outside. New behaviors reported by this research concern the use of “roquia”. This spiritual cure is considered as an anti-cancer remedy. It uses Allah’s words from the holy “qur’an”, his faires names and his attributes. 42% of patients use “roquia”. Concerning phytotherapy, there was an increase in the percentage of participants using medicinal plants and even the most harmful plants (Arestiloch, Euphorbia) from 26% in 2010 to 51.50% in 2020. Conclusion The precarious social level of cancer patients, the lack of social and medical coverage, illiteracy, and lack of knowledge of religion, as well as dissatisfaction with conventional medicine, may lead patients to the use of traditional medicine (medicinal plants, visit of “marabouts”, “roquia”). This can have a negative impact on the quality of access to oncology care.
Introduction: Many studies have found a high prevalence of depression and anxiety in cancer patients. Bio-psychosocial and economic factors are suspected to trigger depression and anxiety in cancer patients. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the association between bio-socio-economic characteristics and depression/anxiety in Moroccan cancer patients. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which a convenience sample of 862 participants was recruited to complete questionnaires. Socioeconomic and medical characteristics were assessed. The HADS scale (Arabic version) was used to assess depression and anxiety. Univariate analysis, bivariate chi-square, and multivariate logistic regression were used to examine the data. Results: 40.8% of patients suffer from mild depression and 7.5% from severe depression. 34.7% suffer from mild anxiety and 10.1% from severe anxiety. Being younger, being female, having breast cancer or lung cancer, having metastatic cancer, pain, and smoking increase the risk of anxiety and depression. When taking economic characteristics into account, having a job, being on social security, and supporting family members decreased the risk of anxiety and depression. Conclusion: Among Moroccan cancer patients, being a woman, being younger, and having metastatic cancer are all factors that contributed to depression and anxiety. However, having employment, having social security, and having a good marital relationship may significantly contribute to lowering the chance of having anxiety and depression.
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