Geographical Locations - Libya

• (Statistical) Number of Inhabitants per Doctor: 690
• CIA World Factbook : Libya

Organisations and Networks

UN and Multinational

• WHO
  - WHO Country Profile - Libya
  - WHO - Tobacco control: Country Profile - Libya
  - WHO - Environmental Burden of Disease: Country Profile – Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
• FAO
  - Nutrition Country Profile: Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (2005)

Government

Non-Government

Academic Institutions

National Policy and Related Documents

Reports, Guidelines, and Projects

• Detection and identification of groundwater bacteria in Sebha City, Libya
  Drinking water systems supplied by untreated groundwater were examined to determine whether coliform or heterotrophic plate count bacteria are capable of growing. Filterable bacteria were present in 42% of the 46 groundwater sources examined by using nonselective media (R2A and full strength m-HPC agars). Pseudomonads were the most frequently identified group of filterable bacteria detected. Flavobacterium, Alcaligenes, Acinetobacter and Achromobacter isolates were also identified. Total coliforms were recovered only from six samples taken from wells near the wastewater lagoon, following filtration through 0.45-μm-pore-size membrane filters by using selective M-Endo LES agar or mT7 agar. In addition, none of the isolates identified from nonselective media were coliforms. Similarly, neither total coliforms nor specifically Escherichia coli were detected in these filtrates when Colilert P/A medium was used. [author abstract] [African Journal of Microbiology Research, Vol.2, pp. 224-228, August, 2008]
• Eczema in North West of Libya
  The life style and demographic structure of Libyan society is changing, and this could affect the epidemiology of certain diseases, including eczema. The aim of this study was to assess the burden of eczema among a selected patient population in the Zliten area in the northwest of Libya. We conducted a retrospective study by reviewing case notes and records in public and private dermatology practices in the Zliten area. The frequency of eczema among patients attending dermatology clinics in the Zliten area was 12.8%, and the male to female ratio was almost 1:1. The most affected age group among patients was 20-29 years. Eczema represented a larger proportion of dermatologic conditions during spring and summer. Of all cases of eczema, 72.6% were endogenous and 24.9% were exogenous (p<0.001). The most common type of eczema was contact dermatitis (22.7% of all cases), followed by atopic dermatitis (19.7%) and pityriasis alba (10.5%). In conclusion, eczema is a public health problem in Zliten-Libya, and this necessitates prospective studies to determine its incidence and prevalence. [author abstract] [Libyan Journal of Medicine, 2008; 3(3): 134-135]
• Hepatitis B infection in Libya: The magnitude of the problem
  Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects more than 400 million people worldwide, and it is estimated that up to one million people die annually from HBV-related disease. Chronic HBV is the leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide, and high levels of HBV replication have been associated with progressive liver disease. Between 15% and 40% of chronically infected patients will go on to experience liver disease progression. New epidemiological data on hepatitis B have been published in the last few years from Libya. These include the results of the general population-based nationwide seroprevalence survey of this infection, risk factors and genotyping. In this short review, we will discuss the update of magnitude of hepatitis B infection in Libya. [author abstract] [The Libyan Journal of Infectious Diseases, vol. 2, no. 1, Jan. 2008, pp.20-25]
• Plague outbreak in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
  Plague is circulating regularly in localised areas worldwide, causing sporadic cases outside Africa and remains endemic or causes limited outbreaks in some African countries. Furthermore, some notable outbreaks have been reported in Asia in the last 20 years. A limited outbreak with five cases has recently been notified by the health authorities of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. [author abstract] [Eurosurveillance, vol. 14, issue 26, 2 July 2009]
• Review of leprosy cases in Benghazi, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, 1994-98
  This reports on a descriptive study which was "conducted using case records from the Leprosy Clinic, Benghazi for the period 1994-98. A constant decline in the number of leprosy cases registered for multidrug treatment (MDT) was observed, from 18 in 1994 to 4 in 1998. The ratio of multibacillary to paucibacillary cases was 1.3:1. Most of the patients were young male adults who were socially and economically productive. An hypopigmented patch was the most common lesion present on easily accessible sites. Early registration, compliance with MDT and follow-up will enhance the cure rate and lead to a reduction in disability rates. Despite elimination surveillance for new leprosy cases is essential."

Educational Resources

• CDC Travelers' Advice - North Africa
• Library of Congress, Country Study: Libya
• Health education in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya: assessment of future needs
  This article by A.A. Elfituri, M.S. Elmahaishi, T.H. MacDonald and F.M. Sherif, published in 2006 in La Revue de Santé de la Méditerranée orientale (Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal), reports on a study, the aim of which was "to determine priority health issues, target groups and education media for future health education programmes in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. A questionnaire was addressed to 2 groups: health officials (n = 60) and the general public (n = 300). In their lists of health issues to focus on, 7 were the same although prioritization differed. Children and youth were considered the most important target groups and the school setting the most appropriate medium for them. Broadcast media were acknowledged as valuable for health education for the general public. We recommend systematic consultation across official and lay groups as a preliminary requisite for health education initiatives."