Hepatities-B vaccine uptake and obstacles among medical staff and students

Across sectional analysis of 400 medical care staff and students conducted in Benghazi to assess hepatitis B vaccine uptake rates and associated factors. The hepatitis B vaccine uptake was found complete for 52.5%, incomplete or absent in 47.5% the uptake was higher for those 20-39 years of age, for males, for doctors and technicians, for singles and for non-Libyans. The factors for non-uptake were attitudinal in 40.9%, situational in 24.5%, knowledge related in 20.9% and medical in 13.6%. The main reasons cited in the descending order of frequency for incomplete uptake were inertia, pressure of work or forgetfulness, and being in the process of completing the vaccination course: whereas for non uptake were confidence in precautionary measures, pressure of work or unsuitability of time, fear of side effects, unawareness of risk or necessity. The study conclude that vaccination programme at Benghazi should be redesigned which could offer the vaccine to all those workers at their respective places of work. Computerised records of all health care staff and students should be maintained for their immune status, exposure events, and surveillance

Review of leprosy cases in Benghazi, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, 1994-1998

A descriptive study 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

clinico-epidemiological study of acute viral hepatitis in hospitalised adults in Benghazi, Libya [SPLAJ]

164 adults were admitted with acute viral hepatitis at the Jamahiriya Hospital, Benghazi from January 1986 to June 1987. HbsAg positevely was detected in 26.22% of the cases. 100% presence of antibodies against hepatitis-A in Libyan children under 7 years was recently established by Gebreel et al. [1983]. Therefore, the remaining 73.78% of the cases were presumed to be suffering from viral hepatitis non-A non-B. Commonest mode of transmission in a majority [90.24%] was nonparenteral or horizontal. Yellow discolouration of sclera was the commonest clinical sign. Tender hepatomegaly was found in 73.17% of the cases while splenomegaly only in 17.07%. Recovery was slow in those patients who at the time of admission had high serum bilirubin [over 20 mg%] blood urea less than 3 mg%, hypokalemia, high prothrombin time and leukocytosis, suggesting a poor prognosis