Leishmaniasis in the Drâa-Tafilalet region of Morocco: The role of altitude and socioeconomic conditions in the distribution of cases. | ||||
| Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 08 December 2024 | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/mid.2024.324077.2260 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
Hajar El Omari   1, 2; Karima El-Mouhdi1, 2; Mohammed El Feniche3, 4; Fatima zahra Talbi5; Touria Filali Mouatassim5; Smahane Mohanned1; Abdelkader Chahlaoui6; Samia Boussaa 7; Abdelharim El Ouali Lalami8
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| 1Natural Resources Management and Development Team, Laboratory of Health and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco. | ||||
| 2Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Higher Institute of Nursing Professions Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques of Fez, Annex Meknes, Morocco | ||||
| 3Laboratory of Biostatistics, Clinical Research and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V | ||||
| 4Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques of Fez, Annex Meknes, Morocco | ||||
| 5Laboratory of Biotechnology, Conservation, and Valorization of Naturals Resources, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University (LBCVNR), Faculty of Sciences. Dhar El Mahraz, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, 30000 Fez, Morocco | ||||
| 6Natural Resources Management and Development Team, Laboratory of Health and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco | ||||
| 7Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques of Rabat, Morocco | ||||
| 8Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques of Fez, Morocco | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Leishmaniasis is an endemic disease that constitutes a major public health problem both nationally and internationally. In recent years, the number of leishmaniasis cases has been steadily increasing in the Draa Tafilalet region. Aim: This study aims to determine the impact of socioeconomic and geographic factors (altitude) on the distribution of leishmaniasis in this region. Methods: The health data used for this study were obtained from the official health reports published by the Moroccan Ministry of Health and Social Protection for the years 2017 to 2021. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was calculated using SPSS software. The spatial representation of the data was created using QGIS software. Results: Our study reveals that all provinces in the region have consistently been affected by leishmaniasis, with a maximum of 1,731 cases reported in Zagora. The analysis of the health risk map indicates three levels of risk within the region: high risk in Zagora, medium risk in Errachidia, Ouarzazate, and Tinghir, and low risk in Midelt. The statistical and cartographic analysis of the spatial relationship between the average number of leishmaniasis cases and the altitude of the provinces shows a strong negative correlation (r=-0.88). Additionally, there is a significant correlation between the incidence of leishmaniasis and socioeconomic factors such as poverty (r=0.61) and urbanization (r=-0.91). Conclusion: These findings will be highly valuable for the development of control and prevention strategies against leishmaniasis, taking into account both socioeconomic and geographic factors. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Socioeconomic factors; Leishmaniasis; Altitude; surveillance; Morocco | ||||
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