Background: Several epidemiological studies have been carried to identify the risk factors for developing breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with breast cancer in different age groups in the Moroccan women and to determine susceptible and protective factors. Methods: This was a case control study including 400 women with breast cancer and 400 controls of the National Institute of Oncology Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah, Rabat, Morocco from 2008 to 2010. These women were interviewed for epidemiological information and risk factor for breast cancer. Results: Early age at menarche, late menopause, oral contraceptive and family history with first degree were positively associated with breast cancer in all the series and in the age group between 22 and 34 years. In the age group between 44 and 34 years, a risk of breast cancer was associated only with a family history of breast cancer. In the age group of 45 years or older, the factors which seem to influence a breast cancer are: late menopause, oral contraceptive and family history in the first degree. In contrast, early childbearing, multiparity and lactation were negatively associated with breast cancer. Conclusion: This study is rather in favour of positive association between hormonal factors and breast cancer, and confirms the protective role of multiparity and lactation.

IntroductionBreast cancer is the most common cancer in morocco women were it occupies the first place in term of incidence and mortality. The aim of the present paper is to evaluate the risk factors associated with a breast cancer in a population of Moroccan women.MethodsA case-control study was conducted with population women whose age is less than 40 years during 2008-2010 at the National Institute of Oncology of Rabat. These women were interviewed for Epidemiological information and risk factor for breast cancer.ResultsIncluded in this study were 124 cases and 148 age matched controls. No statistically significant case-control difference was found for the early age of menarche (OR = 2.474; CI 95%: 1.354- 4.521), and family antecedents of first degree of breast cancer (OR = 11.556; 95% CI: 2.548-52.411). However physical activity (OR = 0.507; 95% CI: 0.339 -0.757) early maternity age (OR = 0.212; 95% CI: 0.087 - 0.514), multiparity (OR = 0.742; 95% CI: 0.359 -1.539) and breastfeeding than 6 months (OR = 0.739; 95% CI: 0.357 -1.523) appear as significant protective factors.ConclusionThis study show the criminalization of only part of the known risk factors of breast cancer in this age group and confirms the probable protective role of physical activity and factors related to life reproductive women in our study (early childbearing, multiparity and lactation).

Background: Pregnancy is typically accompanied by an increase of micronutrient requirements in general and especially iron. This increased need may be an additional risk factor for developing anemia. Purpose of the study: The aim of this study is to provide data on the prevalence of anemia of pregnancy in the maternity ward of the regional hospital in the city of Temara, and examine risk factors that may expose women to anemia during pregnancy. Materiel and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of a year was conducted to the hospital Sidi Lahcen in the city of Temara. Sociodemographic and nutritional data were collected through a questionnaire, obstetric and medical histories of women in labor and the results of biological tests were recorded from the patient obstetric file. Results: Among the 849 women surveyed, 690 (82%) had performed a blood count, and among these 117 (16.8%) were found anemic, with the following proportions: 57.6% had mild anemia, 41.5% had moderate anemia and a minority (0.8%) had severe anemia. The pregnant women aged over 35 years were the most exposed to anemia during pregnancy (47%) compared with younger women (p < 0.001). Women who had a history of anemia aside from pregnancy and those who had anemia in earlier pregnancies were more prone to developing anemia in the current pregnancy with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). The number of pregnancies, N. Hasswane et al. 89number of previous abortions and place of residence had no influence on the occurrence of anemia of pregnancy. The consumption of fortified flour with iron and vitamins as well as consuming iron rich foods was not a protective factor against the development of anemia of pregnancy. Tea consumption near the meal was not a factor exposing to anemia during pregnancy. Conclusion: Anemia is a public health problem in Morocco. Evidence from our study emphasizes the need to implement educational programs to improve the nutritional knowledge and sensitization of women.

Obesity is a real public health problem whose prevalence continues to increase throughout the world. It affects all age groups and does not spare pregnant women. This work aims to determine the prevalence of obesity and to study its association with maternal and neonatal characteristics and the morbidity profile of pregnancy. This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study carried out in the maternity ward of the prefectural hospital center called “Sidi Lahcen” in Témara, Morocco, over a 12-month period. Maternal and neonatal data are collected through a preestablished questionnaire, and anthropometric parameters were recorded. 390 participants, aged between 18 and 43 years, were included in this study, with a prevalence of overweight and obesity of 34.9% and 41%, respectively. Correlation results revealed that the prevalence of overweight and obesity was significantly elevated in women over 25 years p < 0.001 . The rate of caesarean section was four times higher in obese women compared to women of normal weight (53.8% versus 12.8%; p = 0.018 ). The over-term was significantly high in the obese group compared to the nonobese group (33.8% versus 20.2%; p = 0.013 ). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between gestational body mass index and newborn birth weight (r = 0.29; p < 0.001 ) as well as a high prevalence of macrosomia in newborns of comparatively obese women compared to newborns of nonobese women (17.6% versus 9.6%; p = 0.041 ). The correlation analysis with the morbidity profile showed a significantly high preponderance of gestational diabetes, anemia, and toxemia of pregnancy in the obese group compared to the normal group p < 0.001 . This study clearly demonstrated that obesity during pregnancy is associated with higher risks of maternal and neonatal complications, the management of which places a burden on the health system as well as families. These data reinforce the need to improve antenatal care for the prevention of obesity and its preventable complications.

In Morocco, the promotion of maternal and child health is an important axis of the strategy to fight against the repercussions of the covid-19 pandemic. We aim to explore knowledge, practices and mental health of breastfeeding mothers. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the maternity hospital center in Rabat. The data has been collected through a face-to-face interview with mothers. Information regarding mental health were collected using the questionnaire of the post-traumatic stress disorder. Analysis showed that three quarters of mothers were unaware of transmission of the virus through the fetal route and through breastfeeding. This ignorance was significantly high among illiterate mothers compared to educated women (p <0.001). Analysis of practices showed that early breastfeeding, practice skin-to-skin, use of a facemask and compliance with respiratory hygiene rules during breastfeeding were found only in 53.4%, 43.1%, 38.3% and 42.2% of mothers respectively. Psychological disorder concerned 45.7% of mothers and was significantly associated with place of residence (p <0.001), educational level (p <0.001), profession (p <0.001) and monthly expenditure (p = 0.019). This study can be used to evaluate the national Covid 19 pandemic monitoring and response plan and highlights the importance of mental health care for pregnant and breastfeeding women.