Occurrence of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV Infections among Individuals Undergoing Preemployment and Premarital Medical Examination in Mediterranean Port City Tobruk, Libya

Abstract

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) still posed to be ultimate threats to the community in Libya. The rapid screening and identification of these infections has been the important subject of research globally to rid of these viral infections.  We have reported here the incidence of HBV (6.1%) and HCV (1.2%) infections among individuals who performed preemployment and premarital medical examination in Tobruk city, Libya.   The aim of the study is to identify and estimate the frequency of HBV, HCV and HIV in individuals who are undergoing pre-employment and premarital stage in Tobruk. A three years long (2014 to 2016) meticulous research study was carried out in the Public and Family Health Clinic, Tobruk. The blood samples were collected for analysis from 328 multinational public servants and premarital couples of Tobruk city.  A total of 79 (24.1%) cases out of total 328 cases were Libyans and 249 (75.9%) were non-Libyan. The HBV infections had been detected in which 5 cases were among Libyans, 6 among Sudanese, 4 among Egyptians, 4 among Syrians and 1 among Tunisian. The HCV infection was only 1 case, found among Libyans and 3 cases among Egyptians whereas, no HIV case was found over the period of investigations.