Issam Bennis

• MD, MPH, Ph.D in Biomedical sciences
• Professor (Assistant) at Mohammed VI University of Sciences and Health

Background As part of qualitative research, the thematic analysis is time-consuming and technical. The rise of generative artificial intelligence (A.I.), especially large language models, has brought hope in enhancing and partly automating thematic analysis. Methods The study assessed the relative efficacy of conventional against AI-assisted thema...

One Health approach is a global public good (GPG) that invites governance to maximize the health of humans, animals, and the environment by shaping interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration. This paper explores the theoretical foundations, practical applications, and ethical considerations of the One Health governance architecture. At the...

In Morocco, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) represents a concern with three causative parasite species. Despite this, rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for CL is not part of the national control strategy. This study evaluates the acceptability and micro-costing of the CL Detect Rapid Test by Inbios International. The study was conducted from June 2019 to Ja...

Background Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) is a comprehensive treatment protocol of anti-malarial drugs administered to pregnant women to prevent malaria, started at the fourth pregnancy month, with at least three doses of sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine (SP), taken as directly observed treatment (DOT) every 30 days at in...

Research Meeting and Webinar on Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Clinical Evaluation Journal, Vol. 49, No. 2, Sep. 2021 pages 210-216

Background Based on the updated scientific evidence around SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic, health policymakers had to consider that many decisions could enhance or limit the success of the overall COVID-19 control strategy. The purpose of this study is to share alternative COVID-19 case management based on the updated international knowledge. Methods This...

Background Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a disease that often affects exposed skin areas and may heal leaving lifelong scars. Patients’ expectations from treatment are rarely considered in drug development for CL. An initiative aiming to address shortcomings in clinical trial design and conduct for CL treatments involving the researchers’ communi...

In rural areas in Morocco, diagnosing cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) can be challenging. We evaluated the accuracy of a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) based on antigen detection, CL Detect Rapid Test™ (Inbios International Inc., Seattle, WA), in this setting. We consecutively recruited patients with new skin ulcers in nine primary health centers. We too...

Introduction Lack of investments in drug development, lack of standardisation of clinical trials and the complexity of disease presentations contribute to the current lack of effective, safe and adapted treatments for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). One aspect concerns outcomes affecting patients’ quality of life (QoL): these are hardly assessed in t...

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) affecting frequently more than 4000 persons per year in Morocco. The social representations of CL were never explored, though efficient control requires understanding of people’s perception and community involvement. To fill this gap, and to facilitate early diagnosis of CL, our res...

Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic skin disease, linked to poverty, and belonging to the group of Neglected Tropical Diseases. Depending on the severity, the type of lesions or scars, and the context, CL can lead to self- and social stigma influencing the quality of life and psychological well-being of the patient. This dimens...

Objective To document the psychosocial burden of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) in rural communities in Southeastern Morocco. Method Between March and April 2015, we conducted qualitative research in communities exposed to Leishmania major or L. tropica in Errachidia and Tinghir provinces. Twenty-eight focus groups discussions (FGDs) were realized,...

Original participant information sheet. (PDF)

Translated FGD topic guide. (DOCX)

Background In Morocco, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is usually known to be a slowly healing localized skin disease, but in some cases, it can lead to mutilating scars. The outbreak of CL due to Leishmania major in the Errachidia province in southeastern Morocco between 2008 and 2010 left many adolescents with permanent scar tissue on the face or ot...

The indelible CL scars lead to self-stigma and social stigma, and the emergence of negative psychological effects in this age group. Preventing the avoidable burden of CL and mitigating its dermatological and psychosocial consequences should be a priority for health authorities in those areas.

The incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania major has increased in Morocco over the last decade, prompting the Ministry of Health to take inter-sectoral response measures including vector and reservoir control. The aim of this article is to describe the CL outbreak response measures taken in the province of Errachidia, where...

Financial barriers are an important obstacle for access to emergency obstetric care and a contributing factor to too slow a reduction in the level of maternal mortality. In Morocco, in 2009, a fee exemption policy for delivery and caesarean section was implemented in public maternity hospitals. As in most countries where a fee exemption policy has...