Libyan Journal of Public Health Practices

Prevalence of Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Among Medical Students at the University of Benghazi

Aisha O. El-najjar — 2025-06-29

Anxiety, depression, and stress are significant indicators of student's mental health issues, and experiencing these symptoms can have a serious impact on individuals' well-being. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress among medical students at the University of Benghazi in Libya. A cross-sectional study was conducted, using a web-based DASS-21 scale for data collection. The study included a sample of 741 medical college students, with 73.1% identifying as female and 26.9% as male. The findings revealed that 58.2% of females reported extremely severe anxiety, followed by 41.3% for stress and 40.5% for depression. Among males, 17.4% reported extremely severe anxiety, 14.0% reported depression, and 12.8% reported stress. In terms of age groups, the 19–21-year-old group had the highest rates of depression at 8.4%, followed by 13.5% and 8.9% for anxiety and stress, respectively. The 22–24 years old group had the highest rates of depression at 29.7%, anxiety at 38.9%, and stress at 28.6%. The study revealed that anxiety was more prevalent than both depression and stress among students aged 25 and older. Furthermore, the study investigated the factors contributing to these psychological issues and identified academic pressure, exhaustion, and poor time management as the primary causes of mental problems among students.

Food Insecurity and Hunger among Internally Displaced Families in Benghazi, Libya

Abeir El-Mogassabi — 2025-06-29

Food security (FS) is a critical issue exacerbated by conflict and pandemics. This study investigated FS among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benghazi, Libya, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 120 IDP families residing in three camps in Benghazi, Libya. The Radimer/Cornell Hunger Scale was used to assess household FS. The findings revealed a high prevalence of food insecurity, with 91.7% of families experiencing some level of food insecurity. Factors such as parental education, paternal employment, and access to food storage and preparation equipment significantly influenced FS levels. The study highlighted disparities in FS between camps, with El-Helis camp showing higher levels of food insecurity. The complex interplay of conflict and pandemic-related disruptions to food systems, employment, and financial stability contributed to these challenges. This research emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions to address food insecurity among IDPs in conflict-affected regions. Such interventions should include immediate food assistance, improved distribution systems, and long-term strategies for building self-sufficiency and enhancing access to food resources

A Comparative study for Diagnosis of initial caries using Laser Fluorescence Techniques, DIAGNOdent and Conventional Methods

Hassan Abdalla Abdalla — 2025-06-29

Timely detection of dental caries, including early enamel lesions and advanced dentinal involvement, is essential for effective clinical management. This in vivo investigation assessed the diagnostic accuracy of conventional and fluorescence-based adjuncts across proximal, occlusal, and noncavitated facial smooth-surface lesions. A cohort of 195 patients (aged 8–40 years) underwent visual inspection, tactile probing, bitewing radiography, and evaluations using light-emitting diode (LED) fluorescence, laser-induced fluorescence, and the DIAGNOdent system. DIAGNOdent measurements were interpreted using both manufacturer-defined cutoffs and newly calibrated thresholds. Data were analyzed via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and chi-square tests, with significance at p < 0.001. ROC analysis yielded AUC values > 0.85 for fluorescence modalities, indicating robust discriminative performance.

Bitewing radiography demonstrated exceptional specificity—up to 99%—for identifying sound surfaces, corroborating findings in fluorescence studies of occlusal caries detection. DIAGNOdent showed superior sensitivity for enamel caries, with sensitivity approximating 85% using manufacturer cutoffs and 81% with revised thresholds, paralleling reported performance in vivo. Diagnostic accuracy for dentinal lesions was comparable between DIAGNOdent and traditional methods. Specifically, for noncavitated facial smooth-surface lesions, DIAGNOdent achieved over 84% overall accuracy, with sensitivity of 87.6% and specificity of 96.9%. Interobserver agreement across modalities was moderate to high (κ = 0.33–0.75), indicating reproducibility consistent with prior DIAGNOdent pen evaluations. Integration of visual inspection with fluorescence-based methods further enhanced diagnostic metrics, underscoring the value of adjunctive fluorescence devices. Overall, advanced fluorescence-based diagnostics—particularly DIAGNOdent—offer increased sensitivity and high specificity, supporting their clinical utility in early caries detection and timely intervention

Impact of Smoking on Periodontal Health: A Comparative Study Between Libyan & Egyptian adult population

Abdel Fattah Sanfaz — 2025-06-29

Periodontal disease remains a major public health concern worldwide, with tobacco use identified as one of the most significant modifiable risk factors. This study aims to assess and compare the periodontal health status and the impact of smoking among the adult populations in Alexandria (Egypt) and Benghazi (Libya). A cross-sectional study involving 2,920 adult participants in both cities. Periodontal status was assessed using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and Loss of Attachment (LOA) scores. Participants were categorized based on smoking status, smoking type, and duration of smoking. Statistical analyses were conducted using Chi-square tests with significance set at P < 0.05. Heavy smokers demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of deep periodontal pockets compared to non-smokers in Alexandria and Benghazi, 69.4% and 56.5%, respectively (P < 0.0001). Cigarette smoking was associated with more severe periodontal conditions than shisha smoking, particularly in Benghazi (P= 0.007). Duration of smoking was strongly associated with periodontal deterioration, with deep pockets present in 87.1% of long-term smokers in Alexandria and 73.7% in Benghazi (P < 0.0001). Smoking, particularly cigarette use and prolonged exposure, was significantly associated with worsening periodontal health. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating smoking cessation efforts into dental care and public health strategies to mitigate periodontal disease progression

Feco-prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori among symptomatic patients in Al-Marj city

Salah Ali Mohammed Salih — 2025-06-29

Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that causes infections in a significant portion of the global population. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection among dyspeptic patients and to investigate its association with age and sex in Al Marj City, Libya. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at Tabebouk Laboratory from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, involving 495 participants. Stool samples were analysed using a fluorescence immunoassay-based technique to detect H. pylori antigens. The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 50.3%, with males showing a higher infection rate (54.22%) than females (45.78%). The highest prevalence was observed in young adults aged 20-45 years (49.40%), followed by middle-aged and elderly individuals (≥46 years; 36.95%). Children and teenagers had significantly lower infection rates (6.83% each). No significant sex differences were found among children and teenagers. In conclusion, H. pylori infection rates were higher in males and most prevalent among young adults aged 20–45 years. These findings highlight the need for targeted public health strategies, especially in adult populations, to improve early detection and management of H. pylori-related gastrointestinal conditions.

Prevalence of multi-ingredient pre-workout ergogenic and protein supplement use and effect on kidney function among university students and athletes in Benghazi, Libya

Naser H. Ibrahim — 2025-06-29

The use of multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements (MIPS) is becoming increasingly common among university students and athletes, driven by the perceived benefits of increased energy, endurance, and muscle performance. However, the overuse of protein, particularly in this context, raises concerns regarding renal health. Few studies have addressed this issue in North African populations. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 244 students and athletes in Benghazi (56.6% males, 43.4% females). Data were collected via online questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS v22. A subgroup (n=30) underwent renal function testing, including serum urea, creatinine, uric acid, and electrolytes. Chi-square tests and Pearson correlations were used (P < 0.05).

Male participants reported significantly higher supplement use (71.02%) than females (41.51%, P < 0.001). Nevertheless, (37.68%) of males compared to females (42.45%) reported that they would consume ergogenic supplements if they were encouraged by their coaches. Protein supplement use was positively associated with income (r = 0.229, P = 0.001). As for the detrimental effects on kidney function, renal testing indicated elevated urea and uric acid among MIPS users, suggesting potential kidney strain.

MIPS are widely used among students and athletes in Benghazi, with notable gender differences in usage and perception. MIPS potential detrimental effects on kidney function raise concerns about safety and health risks among younger users. A deeper understanding of these supplements' risks and benefits is crucial for informed decision-making. This study is among the first in Libya to examine the physiological effects of MIPS use, offering critical insight into an under-researched population

Predictors of Severity in Autism Spectrum Disorders among Libyan Children: Cross-sectional analysis in Almarj

Munira khalifa Mohamed — 2025-06-29

Today, autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are among the most prevalent neurodevelopmental illnesses. Their varied degrees of severity influence and determine the necessary support and intervention. Risk elements of severity include the child's gender, parental age, and parental educational levels. In Libya, such factors are under-examined. This study aimed to identify predictors of autism severity in Libyan children diagnosed with ASD attending rehabilitation centers in Almarj. It adhered to ethical considerations by submitting a formal application to the centers and obtaining consent from participants. A cross-sectional study included 119 children diagnosed by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale(C.A.R.S) .Demographic information, including child gender, age, educational level, parental age, and education, was gathered through parent interviews. The 2 to 12 year-old sample comprised 73% males and 27% females, with a mean of 7.3 years. About 73.1% had their diagnosis after two years of age. The school achievement of the majority of them affected by Autism, as about 69% (N=82) were not at the appropriate school level for their age. Paternal age over 40 years was notably linked to affect autism severity (OR = 0.198, 95% CI: 0.059–0.661, p = 0.008). Child gender, maternal age, and parental education exhibited no significant connection. Although all registered children with ASD was included, the small sample size limit the ability to generalize the results. Early screening might help families with older fathers to get benefit from advantages of early Autism diagnosis in Libya. This study helps to optimize clinical management and improve regional outcomes for children with ASD