Trends and projection of demographic indices of the Libyan population using a fifty-year census data 1954-2016

Background: Libya is a North African country with the longest coast on the Mediterranean basin facing Europe. Little is known about the demographic characteristics of the Libyan population. Herein, we examine the demographic features and disparities in age and gender among Libyans over the last fifty years, which could be useful for future planning and allocation of resources.Data and methods: Census data were used to analyze the demographic parameters and age trends from 1954 to 2016 by decades.Findings: The total Libyan population increased with significant sex differences during all decades. Fertility rates increased and mortality rates decreased. There had been more males during the first three decades but then their percentage declined since 1984, with women accounting for 49% in 2006. The working-age population increased to 67% by 2006.Conclusion: These findings are discussed in the light of major demographic changes that has occurred in the Libyan society. Libya as a whole has enjoyed low mortality and great improvement in socioeconomic status

Libyan armed conflict 2011: Mortality, injury and population displacement

Armed conflicts can negatively affect health services and cause injuries and death. The recent Arab uprising has been associated with considerable damage to infrastructure and loss of human lives. The aim of this study was to determine mortality, injuries and population displacement that occurred during the recent Libyan armed conflict. Methods: A systematic cross-sectional field survey and non-structured search was carried out over fourteen provinces in six Libyan regions, representing the primary sites of the armed conflict between February 2011 and February 2012. Thirty-five percent of the total area of Libya and 62.4% of the Libyan population were involved in the study. The mortality and injury rates were determined and the number of displaced people was calculated during the conflict period. Results: A total of 21,490 (0.5%) persons were killed, 19,700 (0.47%) injured and 435,000 (10.33%) displaced. The overall mortality rate was found to be 5.1 per 1000 per year (95% CI 4.1–7.4) and injury rate was found to be 4.7 per 1000 per year (95% CI 3.9–7.2) but varied by both region and time, reaching peak rates by July–August 2011. Conclusion: The Libyan armed conflict resulted in great human loss and social damage mirrored by high rates of mortality, injury and human displacement. Such parameters peaked as the conflict escalated and differed according to the Libyan regions and provinces involved. National and international efforts should be combined to overcome the consequences of these conflicts

Trends and patterns of deaths, injuries and intentional disabilities within the Libyan armed conflict: 2012-2017.

BackgroundThe consequences of armed conflicts impose considerable burdens on the economy and health care services, particularly in countries that are not equipped to deal with them, such as in the Middle-East, and North African countries. Little is known about the burden of mortality and injury resulting from the Libyan armed conflict. This study aimed to determine the trends and patterns of mortality, injury and disabilities directly associated with the Libyan armed conflict and analyze the geographic variation within the country during 2012-2107.MethodsData on conflict-related deaths, injuries, and disabilities were obtained from the national registry offices. The information included date, place, and demographic information. A questionnaire was also used to obtain information from the affected individuals and their families. National and regional trends of mortality, injury and disabilities were calculated. Spatial analysis was performed using geographic data available on all documented cases to analyze clustering of mortality and injury.ResultsA total of 16,126 deaths and 42,633 injuries were recorded with complete information during the Libyan conflict from 2012 till 2017. The overall mortality rate was 2.7/1000 population and injury rate was 7.1/1000. The overall male-to-female ratio of mortality and injury was 4.4:1; 42.3% were single and aged 20-30 years old, and 26.4% were aged 31-40 years. Moreover, injuries resulted in death in 20.1% of cases and disability in 33.5% of the cases. Most of the disabilities were caused by blasts, while gun shots resulted in more deaths. The overall mortality and injury rates were highest during 2015-2017. These rates were highest in the eastern region. Injuries were most concentrated in Benghazi and Derna in the east, followed by Sert and Musrata in the central region.ConclusionsConflict-related mortality, injury and disability has inflicted a heavy burden on the Libyan society that may persist for a long time. The rates of these casualties varied in time and place. National, well-planned efforts are needed to address this serious situation and its consequences

Hepatitis C Virus in North Africa: An Emerging Threat

Hepatitis C virus is a major public health threat associated with serious clinical consequences worldwide. North Africa is a unique region composed of seven countries that vary considerably in the predisposing factors to microbial diseases both historically and at the present time. The dynamics of HCV in the region are not well documented. The data are both limited and controversial in most of the countries in the region. In North Africa, the epidemiology of HCV is disparate and understanding it has been hampered by regional “epidemiological homogeneity” concepts. As the dynamics of HCV vary from country to country, context-specific research is needed. In this review, we assess studies performed in each country in the general populations as well as among blood donors and groups exposed to the HCV infection. The reported prevalence of HCV ranges from 0.6% to 8.4% in the Maghreb countries and is predominated by genotype 1. In the Nile valley region, it ranges from 2.2% to 18.9% and is dominated by genotype 4. In North African countries, HCV seems to be a serious problem that is driven by different vectors even in different geographical locations within the same country. Efforts should be combined at both the national and regional levels to implement efficient preventive and treatment strategies

Prevalence of hepatitis B, C and HIV infections by age, Tripoli -Libya 2011.

<p>Prevalence of hepatitis B, C and HIV infections by age, Tripoli -Libya 2011.</p

Association between HBV,HCV and HIV infections and certain influencing variables among Tripoli population.

<p>Association between HBV,HCV and HIV infections and certain influencing variables among Tripoli population.</p

Prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV in Tripoli.

<p>n = 7500 males and 1670 females. * Statistically significant at <i>P</i> = 0.001</p