title: Organization and Evaluation of Performance Indicators of a Breast Cancer Screening Program in Meknes-Tafilalt Region, Morocco
abstract: Objective: The benefits of screening and early detection of breast cancer, including reduced morbidity and mortality,
  have been well-reported in the literature. In 2011, a breast cancer screening program was launched in Meknes-Tafilalt
  region of Morocco. The aim of this study was to evaluate the early performance indicators of this program. Materials
  and Methods: This retrospective evaluative study was conducted between April 2012 and December 2014, in
  Meknes-Tafilalt region of Morocco. Several performance indicators of the breast cancer screening program were
  calculated: the compliance rate, the positivity rate, the referral rate, the cancer detection rate and the organizational
  indicators. Results: During 2012-2014, a total of 184,951 women participated in the breast cancer screening program.
  The compliance rate was 26%, the positive rate was 3.3%, the referral rate was 36.7%, and the cancer detection rate
  was 1.2 per 1,000 women. The median time between the date of clinical breast examination and the date of biopsy (or
  cyto-puncture) was 36 days. The median time between the date of positive mammography and the date of biopsy (or
  cyto-puncture) was 6 days. The median time between the date of clinical breast examination and the date of the first
  received treatment was 61 days. Conclusions: The program needs better monitoring, as well as implementation of
  quality assurance tools to improve performance in our country.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Fez, Morocco. Email: hafida572010@gmail.com
authors.forename: Hafida
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Charaka
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khalis
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elfakir
authors.forename: Youssef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chami Khazraji
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zidouh
authors.forename: Loubna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Abousselham
authors.forename: Karima
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: El Rhazi
authors.forename: Badiaa
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lyoussi
authors.forename: Chakib
authors.initials: Ch
authors.lastname: Nejjari
keywords: Breast cancer; screening program; early detection; performance indicators; Morocco