Moroccan Men Research Articles

Y-STR genetic diversity in Moroccans from the Figuig oasis

Seventeen Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) (DYS392, DYS437, DYS448, GATAH4.1, DYS389II, DYS439, DYS635, DYS393, DYS438, DYS391, DYS389I, DYS390, DYS19, DYS458, DYS456 and DYS385a,b) were typed in DNA samples from 96 unrelated Moroccan men from the Figuig oasis. Fifty-two haplotypes were identified, of which 36 were unique. The overall haplotype diversity was 0.966, and the discrimination capacity was 0.542. Population comparisons with previously published data revealed significant genetic heterogeneity between the Figuig Moroccans and other North African populations. Results also showed that the minimal haplotype 11-30-13-10-13-25-15 (DYS392-DYS389II-DYS393-DYS391-DYS389I-DYS390-DYS19) was the most frequent haplotype observed in Figuig men.

Bone mineral density of the spine and femur in a group of healthy Moroccan men

BackgroundBone mineral density (BMD) measurements using dual-energy X-rays absorptiometry (DXA) are widely used to diagnose osteoporosis and to assess its severity. Previous studies show the necessity to establish reference data for bone mass measurements for each particular population. Such data are lacking for the male Moroccan population. AimTo establish reference values for the healthy Moroccan male population and to compare them with those for Caucasian and Arab males, and to study the impact of different curves implemented in the DXA system on the diagnosis of osteoporosis. MethodsA cross-sectional study of 592 Moroccan men, recruited from the area of Rabat, the capital of Morocco, aged between 20 and 79 years was carried to establish reference values of bone mineral density. Measurements were taken at the lumbar spine and proximal femurs using DXA (Lunar Prodigy Vision, GE). The data were compared with published normative taken by US, European, Iranian, Lebanese, and Saudi men over six decades of age. Impact on osteoporosis diagnosis according to the WHO criteria using the personalized curve and US (NHANES), European and Middle-East reference curves (as implemented in the Lunar densitometers) was studied. ResultsOur results showed that the Moroccan men showed the expected decline in BMD at both sites with age after peaking at 20–29 years age group. Every anatomical region has a different rate of bone loss: lumbar spine (0.3% per year) femoral neck (0.6%), trochanter (0.3%), and total hip (0.4%). The lumbar spine and femoral subregions BMD exhibited increases from 0.3 to 0.5% per kilogram of body weight. In the spine, the US/European Lunar reference values classified a larger proportion of men as osteoporotic (18.1% vs. 7.4%) while using the Arabic Lunar reference values, only 7.8% were classified as osteoporotic. However, using Arabic curve for the femurs resulted in underdiagnosis of osteoporosis (1.8% vs. 6.0%), whereas the US/European Lunar reference values classified men as osteoporotic in 3.9% and 5.3% respectively. DiscussionIn comparison with the other Countries, the spine BMD of Moroccan men were slightly lower than Iranian's, Europeans and Brazilians but higher than the Saudi and Lebanese males. We found BMD values taken at the lumbar spine to be around 4% lower than European values between ages 50 and 59 years, and 10% lower for older subjects. These values were 4–6% higher than Saudis/Lebanese values between ages 20–39. For older subjects, Moroccan values were more than 10% higher than Saudis and almost similar to Lebanese. Femoral neck BMD values were 8% higher in young adults (age 20–39 years) to US/Saudis/Lebanese values, but about 10% lower in ages over 60 to US values whereas it was similar to Saudis and Lebanese values. ConclusionOur study emphasises the importance of using population-specific reference values for BMD measurements to avoid over or underdiagnosis of osteoporosis.

Depressive and anxiety disorders in different ethnic groups

To explore ethnic differences in psychopathology, this study examined the prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders among different ethnic groups in Amsterdam and determined whether ethnic differences can be explained by socio-demographic differences. A population-based sample of 321 Dutch, 231 Turkish, 191 Moroccan, 87 Surinamese/Antilleans was interviewed by well-trained bilingual interviewers, using the CIDI 2.1. Educational level and income were used as indicators of socio-economic status. The weighed 1-month prevalence of depressive and/or anxiety disorders was 6.6% (Dutch), 18.7% (Turkish), 9.8% (Moroccans) and 1.2 % (Surinamese/Antilleans). Among Moroccans, the prevalence of affective disorders seemed higher in men than in women, among the Turkish the opposite was observed. Ethnic differences in prevalence could not be explained by socioeconomic differences. Turkish women and men and Moroccan men in Amsterdam seem to have a higher risk of current affective disorders. Ethnicity is an independent predictor of common mental disorders in the Netherlands.

Morocco's languages and gender: evidence from the field

This article is a comparative study of the gender approach of Sadiqi (2003) to Moroccan society and the sociolinguistic survey of De Ruiter (2006) carried out among 569 Moroccan students. Sadiqi labels the various languages used in Morocco, Standard and dialectal Arabic, French, and Amazigh (Berber) in terms of gender. Her observations are compared to the De Ruiter data on language proficiency, use, and attitudes of young Moroccan men and women with the aim to see to what extent the gender characterization of Sadiqi and the data of De Ruiter match. Full matches between both studies were not established, but the comparison shows that observational studies like the one by Sadiqi (2003), combined with empirical studies such as De Ruiter's (2006), yield a very rich basis for a fruitful evaluation and discussion of Morocco's languages in terms of gender.

AZF microdeletions and partial deletions of AZFc region on the Y chromosome in Moroccan men

To evaluate for the first time the frequency of Y chromosome microdeletions and the occurrence of the partial deletions of AZFc region in Moroccan men, and to discuss the clinical significance of AZF deletions. We screened Y chromosome microdeletions and partial deletions of the AZFc region of a consecutive group of infertile men (n = 149) and controls (100 fertile men, 76 normospermic men). AZFa, AZFb, AZFc and partial deletions of the AZFc region were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) according to established protocols. Among the 127 infertile men screened for microdeletion, four subjects were found to have microdeletions: two AZFc deletions and two AZFb+AZFc deletions. All the deletions were found only in azoospermic subjects (4/48, 8.33%). The overall AZFc deletion frequency was low (4/127, 3.15%). AZF microdeletions were not observed in either oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OATS) or the control. Partial deletions of AZFc (gr/gr) were observed in a total of 7 of the 149 infertile men (4.70%) and 7 partial AZFc deletions (gr/gr) were found in the control group (7/176, 3.98%). In addition, two b2/b3 deletions were identified in two azoospermic subjects (2/149, 1.34%) but not in the control group. Our results suggest that the frequency of Y chromosome AZF microdeletions is elevated in individuals with severe spermatogenic failure and that gr/gr deletions are not associated with spermatogenic failure.

Performance of the osteoporosis risk assessment tool in Moroccan men

Measuring bone mineral density (BMD) is a widely accepted strategy for identifying subjects with an increased risk of fracture. However, because of limited availability of BMD technology in some communities and cost considerations, it has been proposed that BMD measurements be targeted to subjects with risk factors for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis self-assessment tool (OST) using age and weight have been developed to identify women who are more likely to have low BMD and thus undergo BMD testing. To study the performance of OST in identifying osteoporotic white men in Morocco. We analysed in an epidemiological cross-sectional study the records for 229 white Moroccan men seen at an out-patient rheumatology centre. OST was compared to bone density T scores and the ability of OST to identify men with osteoporosis (T < -2.5) was evaluated. Using an OST score < 2 to recommend dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) referral, sensitivity ranged from 63% at the lumbar spine to 87% at the total hip to detect BMD T scores of -2.5 and specificity from 58 to 59%. The negative predictive value was high at all skeletal sites (87-98%), demonstrating the usefulness of the OST to identify patients who have normal BMD and should not receive DXA testing. The performance of OST among men in Morocco was similar to that reported earlier for the other samples in Asian countries and the USA. The OST is an effective and efficient tool to help target high-risk men for DXA measurement.

Duration of residence was not consistently related to immigrant mortality

Objective This paper aimed to examine immigrant mortality according to duration of residence in the Netherlands and to compare duration-specific mortality levels to levels of mortality in the native Dutch population. Study Design and Setting For the years 1995–2000, we linked the national cause of death register, that contains information on deaths of legal residents, to the municipal population register, that contains information on all legal residents. We studied mortality in relation to period of immigration by means of directly standardized mortality rates and Poisson regression. Results All cause mortality was not related to year of immigration among Turkish and Moroccan men and women, and among Surinamese women. Among Surinamese men and among Antilleans/Aruban men and women, mortality was higher in more recent immigrants. Part of their excess mortality was due to their relatively low socioeconomic status. For most specific causes of death, no consistent relation with duration of residence was observed. Conclusion A consistent relation between duration of residence and immigrant mortality was only observed in some immigrant groups. The results suggest that the healthy migrant effect or adaptation of health-related behaviors were no predominant determinants of immigrant mortality in the Netherlands.

Is a DNA sequence variation of the gene protocadherin Y a possible explanation for the sixfold higher risk to develop schizophrenia in moroccan males?

Hallucinations, disturbances of thought and delusions could all be regarded as dysfunction in the transformation of thought to speech [1]. In a recent review by Crow a very intriguing theory was described. He assumes that epigenetic variation of chromosomal rearrangements which occurred in the speciation of hominids and later on in the speciation of Homo sapiens may be associated with schizophrenia [2]. One of the hottest candidates is a gene pair: protocadherin X and Y on the X and Y chromosomes. They are linked to the asymmetry of the human brain [3,4]. There is an additional mechanism conceivable for some of schizophrenia cases. DNA sequence variation of the gene protocadherin Y could contribute in those cases to psychosis. An elaborate population based study with the main focus on immigrants is currently under way in the Netherlands. Remarkably, whereas the risk was very high for first and second generation Moroccan males, the risk for Moroccan females, first or second generation, was not significantly increased. The authors suggest a hypothesis which includes psychosocial factors. But they mention that for Turkish immigrants where were no significant elevation in their risk to develop schizophrenia in regard to the indigenous Dutch population [5]. Therefore social problems can not sufficiently explain the immense elevated risk seen in Moroccan men. A possible explanation could be DNA sequence variation of the gene protocadherin Y. It could be accountable for the six fold higher risk to develop schizophrenia in Moroccan males. As a conclusion genetic studies should be conducted to test this hypothesis. This genetic study could be linked to an MRI study in this particular patient group.

Prevalence and management of hypertension among Turkish, Moroccan and native Dutch ethnic groups in Amsterdam, the Netherlands: the Amsterdam Health Monitor Survey

To assess ethnic differences in the prevalence and management of hypertension among Turkish, Moroccan and native Dutch ethnic groups in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. A cross-sectional survey. A random sample of 1304 adults aged 18 years and over. Of these, 39.2% were Dutch, 33.2% were Turkish and 27.6% were Moroccan. The prevalence of hypertension was lower in Turkish (men 25.8% and women 22.2%) and Moroccan (men 26.1% and women 19.6%) than in Dutch individuals (men 48.8% and women 35.0%). Except for Turkish women, these differences persisted after adjustment for age and body mass index: the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for being hypertensive were 0.47 (0.30-0.74; P < 0.001) for Turkish men, 0.48 (0.30-0.76; P < 0.001) for Moroccan men and 0.51 (0.28-0.94; P = 0.03) for Moroccan women. Only Moroccan hypertensive women were less likely than Dutch women to be aware of their condition 0.31 (0.11-0.81; P < 0.01) and to be treated 0.32 (0.12-0.88; P < 0.01) for hypertension. There were no differences in hypertension control between the ethnic groups in both men and women. The lower prevalence of hypertension among Moroccan men may contribute to the low cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality reported among this group in the Netherlands. The differential risks in CVD mortality between Moroccan men and women may partly result from the lower hypertension awareness and treatment rates in Moroccan women. Strategies aimed at improving the detection and treatment of hypertension among Moroccan women may improve the sex disparity in cardiovascular mortality between Moroccan men and women in the Netherlands.

Smoking in immigrants: do socioeconomic gradients follow the pattern expected from the tobacco epidemic?

Objectives: Although socioeconomic patterns of smoking across the different stages of the tobacco epidemic have been well researched, less is known about these patterns among immigrant populations. This paper aims...

Out of Africa: what drives the pressure to emigrate?

Who intends to leave Africa and what drives people to emigrate? For the cases of Ghana, Senegal, Morocco and Egypt, we examined peoples' stated intentions to emigrate. The large majority wants to move “out of Africa”, and the typical potential migrant was found to be young, male, displaying relatively modern values and optimistic about the net benefits of emigration. Signs of positive self-selection were clearly evident in Ghana and Egypt, particularly among women. However, negative self-selection was apparent among Moroccan men. The network effects of potential migrants were found to be fairly important in Ghana and Egypt, but in Senegal and Morocco, such ties play no role in triggering emigration intentions.

The CIDI as an instrument for diagnosing depression in older Turkish and Moroccan labour migrants: an exploratory study into equivalence

The number of elderly migrants from Turkey and Morocco in Western Europe will increase sharply in the coming decades. Many of these migrants seem to have mental health problems. As mental health care programs are based on DSM criteria, there is a need for diagnostic instruments with good psychometric properties. This exploratory study examines the presence of construct bias, method bias and item bias in the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) Basis Life time version 2.1 in elderly Turkish and Moroccan men and women. From a community based health survey four groups of migrants aged 55-74 were selected for semi-structured interviews including the CIDI depression section. Data included interview transcriptions and observations of 11 respondents in each group (Turkish men, Turkish women, Moroccan men, and Moroccan women). The data were analysed using qualitative techniques. Construct bias, method bias and item bias of the CIDI was found in all groups. The poor match between the CIDI on the one hand and the taboo on mental health problems and the poor level of education of the respondents can partly explain this bias. The use of the CIDI in elderly migrants of Moroccan and Turkish descent is problematic, due to the presence of construct, method and item bias.

Methodological problems related to alcohol research among Turks and Moroccans living in the Netherlands: findings from semi‐structured interviews

Objectives. To identify factors related to alcohol use among Turks and Moroccans living in the Netherlands. Furthermore, to reveal methodological problems related to research among Turks and Moroccans in general and to alcohol research among these groups in particular. Design. Individual face‐to‐face interviews were carried out with Dutch researchers (n=9), Turkish and Moroccan (health) practitioners working in the field with Turks (n=4) or Moroccans (n=2), and members of the target population with a Turkish (n=3) or a Moroccan background (n=2). Furthermore, focus‐group interviews were held with Turkish women (n=4), Turkish men (n=3), Moroccan women (n=4) and Moroccan men (n=3) working as health professionals. Results. Alcohol use seems prevalent particularly among second‐generation Turks and Moroccans and is related to: upbringing, influence of peer groups, integration and the degree in which Islamic rules are practised. Written questionnaires seem more appropriate for second‐generation Turks and Moroccans, because they have fewer language problems and are more familiar with Western bureaucratic society. However, both generations may prefer face‐to‐face interviews since both groups fear that ‘written’ answers about the sensitive subject ‘alcohol use’ may somehow become known among community members. Similarly, an interviewer with a Dutch background may elicit more reliable answers about alcohol use than an interviewer with a Turkish or Moroccan background. Conclusion. In alcohol research special attention should be paid to second‐generation Turks and Moroccans. Although it is probably easier to conduct alcohol studies in this group than in first‐generation Turks and Moroccans, quantitative research is needed to test the hypothesis that written questionnaires elicit more reliable answers about alcohol use than face‐to‐face interviews. Furthermore, the influence of ethnic matching on response and data quality should be tested further.

M.487 Influence of argan oil administration on lipid peroxidation and paraoxonase activities in healthy Moroccan men

M.487 Influence of argan oil administration on lipid peroxidation and paraoxonase activities in healthy Moroccan men

M.487 Influence of argan oil administration on lipid peroxidation and paraoxonase activities in healthy Moroccan men

M.487 Influence of argan oil administration on lipid peroxidation and paraoxonase activities in healthy Moroccan men

The role of family networks and migration culture in the continuation of Moroccan emigration: a gender perspective

About 1.5 million people of Moroccan origin live as legal migrants in the countries of the European Union. For several decades, emigration has affected various provinces of Morocco. In some regions, the process started more than 40 years ago; in others the migration experience is much more recent. This study seeks to portray from a micro perspective the ongoing migration processes from Morocco, in particular to Western Europe. Emphasis is placed on the effect of family networks and migration culture on the intention to emigrate of Moroccan men and women without international migration experience. We focus especially on gender differences since the position and the roles played by men and women both within the family and within Moroccan society are very different. This gender distinction reveals remarkable differences between men and women in the intention to emigrate, and in its explanation. For men, emigration intentions are stronger in regions having a migration culture, while at the same time the presence of family networks abroad has a negative but small effect on the emigration intention. For women, however, the existence of a migration culture has no effect on the intention to leave the country, whereas family networks abroad tend to increase this intention. Interestingly, women with a paid job and who judge their financial situation negatively have the highest emigration intentions. This may indicate that, among Moroccan women, the more modernised, especially, intend to migrate. The more conservative Moroccan women are not likely to express an intention to migrate on their own. Rather, they behave in a manner that suits the husband or family. This behaviour may, or may not, include an emigration decision.

Performing masculinity in the Moroccan theatre: virility, sexuality and Spanish military culture from the African War to the Civil War1

This article explores constructions of Spanish masculinity in the first decades of the twentieth century, as Spain engaged in colonialist wars in Morocco; memoirs and literary texts by travellers, soldiers and military leaders such as Francisco Franco and José Millán Astray are read alongside theoretical works. I argue that, like European Orientalism, Spanish Orientalism projects onto Moroccan men an image of fanaticism, barbaric violence and ultra‐virile yet ‘polymorphously perverse’ sexuality. However, that particular image of masculinity is just as often re‐assimilated into a Spanish national identity that can never quite manage to assert its fundamental difference from North Africa.

4P-0949 Influence of argan oil administration on lipid peroxidation and paraoxonase activities in healthy Moroccan men

4P-0949 Influence of argan oil administration on lipid peroxidation and paraoxonase activities in healthy Moroccan men

Effects of peer-led AIDS education aimed at Turkish and Moroccan male immigrants in The Netherlands: A randomised controlled evaluation study

An evaluation study was conducted in The Netherlands into acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) education for immigrants given in their native language by peers. Turkish and Moroccan men were trained to educate people from their own ethnic group. The effect of peer education on the perceived threat of AIDS and beliefs about condom use were studied. Places where male immigrants met, i.e. coffee houses, mosques and bars, were matched and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group filled out a short questionnaire at the end of the education session (post-test), whereas the control group was pre-tested and had the opportunity of following the AIDS education after participation in the questionnaire. Using multilevel logistic regression analysis, an effect could be established on misunderstandings regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission (OR = 5.9 and 95% CI: 2.3-15.3) and risk appraisal for HIV infection (OR = 2.9 and 95% CI: 1.3-6.3). The perceived benefits of the protective effect of condom use were affected in men 30 years and older, the perceived barrier of diminished satisfaction if using condoms was changed among unmarried men, condom self-efficacy was affected in men who valued peer education as important and an effect on intention to use condoms was found among Moroccans. Continuation of peer-led AIDS education for immigrants and adaption of the message to the needs of specific target groups is recommended.

Assessment of Dietary Intake Among Moroccan Women and Surinam Men

Objective. To establish a method for food consumption data collection in ethnic groups in the Netherlands. Methods. Two pilot studies have been carried out, one among Moroccan women and one among Surinam men. First, focus group discussions were held to obtain background information from members of the target population. For food consumption assessment 2 2 24-h recall was chosen. Furthermore, background information on age, place of birth, frequency of visits to Morocco or Surinam, Dutch language skills, meal pattern, food purchases and antropometric measurements were taken. Results. It was found that the diets of both Moroccan women and Surinam men tended to approach the recommended daily intake of macronutrients more than the average intake of a Dutch person. However, reported energy and micronutrient intake on the second day of the dietary recall was lower than on the first recall day. Conclusion. The 24-h recall is a suitable method for food consumption measurements among Moroccan and Surinam people. On the other hand, the interviewer must be aware of potential under-reporting, especially during the second recall.