Estimation of the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in Northwestern Libya

Abstract

Aim: To estimate the burden of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in Libya. Methods: This is a retrospective and descriptive study of pulmonary TB cases gathered from the TB National Center in Tripoli. Results: Pulmonary TB cases represented (50.9%) of total TB cases. The majority of pulmonary TB cases (86.8%) were from five out of twenty one TB Subcenters distributed all over the country, namely (Tripoli, Benghazi, Sebha, Misurata, and Zawia Sub-centers). Estimated incidence & prevalence of total (Libyans and non-Libyans) pulmonary TB cases per 100,000 of total population were (0.08) & (0.09) respectively. Estimated incidence & prevalence of pulmonary TB among Libyans were (0.06 Libyan pulmonary TB cases/ 100,000 of Libyan population), and (0.08 Libyan Pulmonary TB cases/ 100,000 of Libyan population) respectively. Libyans represented (66.6%) of the total number of pulmonary TB cases. Among Libyans the most frequent age group affected was between 25-34 years old (35%) followed by 15-24 years old (21%) and most gender affected was males 70.3% versus females 29.7% (P<0.0001). Immigrant males represented (92%) of non-Libyan cases. The most frequent nationalities among immigrant cases were Sudanese (38%), Chadian (17.6%) and Nigerian (15.3%). Among immigrants; most age group affected was between 25-34 years old (45%) followed by 35-44 years old (32%). Total treatment success rate of pulmonary TB cases was (61.1%), with Libyans exhibiting a higher treatment success rate than their immigrant counterparts (68.1% and 48.6% respectively, P<0.009).