Age at first contact as an inclusion-focused triage prompt: presenting concerns and follow-up in a Moroccan science faculty

Purpose This study aims to examine whether age group at first contact is associated with presenting concern (academic/study-related vs psychosocial or social/basic-needs) and repeat contact in a university counselling centre. Design/methodology/approach A retrospective analysis of 401 archival counselling records (2015–2018) from Morocco’s oldest university counselling centre in a large public science faculty. Age group (17–19, 20–21, 22–26) was examined using χ² tests and logistic regression, adjusting for gender (men/women), disciplinary cluster and financial support (scholarship vs no scholarship). Findings Academic/study-related concerns predominated (74.8%), and repeat contact was uncommon (10.5%). Students aged 20–21 were about half as likely as those aged 17–19 to present non-academic concerns (AOR = 0.46, p = 0.011), while scholarship holders were about twice as likely as those without a scholarship (AOR = 1.95, p = 0.024). Age group was not independently associated with repeat contact in the full model; women were around five times more likely than men to re-attend (AOR = 5.17, p < 0.001). Originality/value Age group at first contact is a pragmatic enquiry prompt, not a fixed risk marker. Practice pointers: make the first contact count; prompt psychosocial and social/basic-needs disclosure; normalise re-contact and offer low-threshold follow-up with clear routes back into support.