Hepatitis (A) Rates in Derna, Libya in 2019 and Suitable Nourishment

Abstract

The current study gives a brief explanation about the outbreak of hepatitis A epidemic in the city of Derna in Libya from June to December 2019. Approximately, 959 positive cases of hepatitis A were recorded. Of 959 cases, 675 cases (401 males and 274 females) were collected from multiple places in Derna including Al-Sahel Al Shargy, Bab Tobruk, Al-Jebella, Sheha, Embegh, Al-Fatayah, Theel Al-Wady, Al-Balad, Al- Mohasha, Al-Maghar, Wadi Al-Naga, Baten Bomansour, Al-Sayada Khadja, and Karsa. Data were also gathered from different locations in Eastern Libya including Al- Beda, Guba, Gaygab, Al-Dabosia, and Om Rosam. A face-to-face survey was performed on 208 individuals diagnosed with hepatitis A and their families at their residence places in Derna during the period from 26th June to 11th September 2019. Questions were focused on lifestyle factors including eating fast foods from restaurants, source of drinking water, source of fruits and vegetables they consumed, and types of foods they mostly ate. The approximate percentage of males and females were 59.1 % and 40.6%, respectively. This explains that males are almost 18.5% more likely than females to be susceptible to infect with hepatitis A. There was statistically significant difference between men and women for their infection with hepatitis A (P= 0.035). The great infection with hepatitis A was in Al-Sahel Al-Shargi with a percentage of 38.8% (64 Cases). The results showed that there was statistically significant difference between people infected with hepatitis A virus according to their place of residences (P= 0.018). The unifying factor between 208 interviewed patients was drinking water contaminated with sewage. About, 70% of patients ate meals from popular fast-food restaurants. While 30% of patients ate vegetables and fruits coming from Egypt and irrigated with sewage water. A highly nutritious dietary program may be essential to prevent liver damage.