Disease burden among migrants in Morocco in 2021: A cross‑sectional study

Abstract

Background Morocco, traditionally an emigration country, has evolved into not only a transit country to Europe but also a country of residence for an increasing number of migrants, with 102,400 migrants in 2019. This is due to its geographic location, the induced effects of its "African policy," and the various laws adopted by Moroccan legislators in recent years. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of communicable and noncommunicable diseases among migrants such as Hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), diabetes, and hypertension. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in Oujda, Morocco, between November and December 2021. Face-to-face interviews with enrolled migrants aged 18 years and over, present in Oujda and attending an association, were carried out to collect socio-demographic data, lifestyle behaviors, and clinical parameters. Diabetes and hypertension were the primary outcomes. The Pearson’s chi-squared test and the student’s t-test were used to assess the bivariate associations between primary outcomes and categorical and continuous variables. In a multivariate model, we adjusted for predictors that were significant (p-value ≤0.05) in bivariate analysis to estimate Adjusted Odd Ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results There were 495 migrants enrolled, with a male/female ratio of two and an average age of 27.3±11.5 years (mean±standard deviation), ranging from 18 to 76 years. Hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, diabetes, and hypertension were found in 1%, 0.2%, 3.8%, and 27.7% of the population, respectively. Family history of diabetes was a risk factor for diabetes in the Oujda migrant population, with an Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) of 5.36; CI% [1.23–23.28]. Age (AOR of 1.1; CI% [1.06–1.13]) and African origin (AOR of 3.07; CI% [1.06–8.92]) were identified as risk factors for hypertension. Conclusion Migrants in Oujda are healthy. The high prevalence of hypertension, as well as the presence of HCV and HIV positive cases, emphasizes the importance of routine screening for hypertension, HCV, and HIV in order to detect and treat these diseases as early as possible.

The prevalence and risk factors for anxiety and depression symptoms among migrants in Morocco

“…This could be explained by discrimination, feelings of social isolation, a lack of financial resources, and uncertainty about the future. The discussion carried out with migrants had shown that the young subjects who left their country, their comfort zone, for a new country, came with enormous expectations and a lot of energy and motivation, but once in the host country, they came up against a reality marked by the difficulties of rapid access to adequate employment 22 . This situation pushed migrants to want to seek answers to the reasons for their unemployment, and it is then that migrant began to devalue themselves and loose self-esteem, which would lead to anxiety 23 .…”

“…Indeed, we know that migrants, whether refugees, asylum seekers, or undocumented migrants, are a vulnerable population whose mental health can suffer. They may have been victims of traumatic events such as war, the loss of a family member, or physical and/or sexual violence before their arrival in the host country 4 , 22 , all of which can lead to anxiety and depressive disorders. Added to this is the negative perception of migrants that the population of the host country has, the cumbersomeness of the administrative procedures, and the length of the regularization procedures 24 Once granted a refugee status, migrants find themselves caught between an ideal discourse on asylum and the reality in the host country.…”

“…Indeed, these chronic illnesses necessitate medical attention and medication. Failure to meet these needs due to migrants' limited resources can exacerbate their health problems 22 , including mental health.…”

Uncontrolled blood pressure and its risk factors among hypertensive patients, Marrakech, Morocco

“…Anthropometric measurements included weight (in kilograms) and height (in meters). The body mass index (BMI) defined as the ratio between weight per kilogram and height per square meter, was classified into two categories: absence of overweight or obesity when the BMI was less than 25 kg per square meter and presence of overweight or obesity when the BMI was greater than or equal to 25 kg per square meter 15 , 16 . A tobacco user was defined as anyone who has used tobacco in the last three months.…”

Determinants associated with low dietary diversity among migrants to Morocco: a cross sectional study

“…Studies on the migrant population in Morocco have shown various nutrition-related issues. Overweight and obesity are prevalent in 39.2% of the population 8 , as are respiratory tract infections (13%) and gastrointestinal illnesses (9%) 9 .…”