City Of Benghazi Research Articles

The historic city of Benghazi in Libya: Towards a holistic post-conflict reconstruction

ABSTRACT In the aftermath of armed conflicts, societies grapple with profound impacts on historic city centres, with cultural heritage damage intensifying crises in environments, identities and sense of place. This paper addresses the under-documented post-conflict journey of the Libyan city of Benghazi, focusing on the sudden demolition of its built heritage in March 2023. Grounded in a mixed-methods approach, this study explores reconstruction complexities in post-conflict emerging states through empirical research and a humanistic lens. In addition, the authors investigate aspects, such as the stakeholder’s opinion and the community’s reaction and expectations. The findings reveal that while post-conflict situations globally are inherently complex between balancing change and continuity, the case of Benghazi is exacerbated by political fragmentation, top-down reconstruction approaches, and lack of coordination between decision-makers and the community. The results of the survey indicate that most respondents support the preservation of their cultural heritage. This research concludes that stakeholders in Benghazi should adopt a nuanced approach that aligns with sustainable aspirations for a better future while retaining historical continuity. This paper contributes to the broader post-conflict reconstruction literature by offering insights for cities facing similar challenges and emphasizing the imperatives of inclusion, transparency, justice, and equity during the reconstruction process.

What do Components of Administrative Reforms Tell Us About the Quality of Economic Development? Evidence from a North African Country

This study aimed to identify the elements of administrative and economic reform in light of the new Libya as a state of institutions. The idea of this study was extracted from previous analyses. Given what this north African country is hurting from the collapse of all its institutions and all kinds due to the widespread administrative economic corruption that appears in its administrative structures, we wanted to address, even if only in a simple way, the study of administrative corruption, its causes, and how to reform it, hoping that Libya in the future will become a state of institutions where law and justice prevail. The problem here centered on studying the components of reforming the administrative economy in light of the new Libya as a state of institutions, where the study population consists of individuals working in public organizations in the city of Benghazi. However, due to the lack of time and effort, this study was restrained to selecting a deliberate sample represented by individuals working in the education and health sector administrations in Benghazi, the two most important sectors in the country. According to information from the Personnel Affairs Office in each ministry, 200 questionnaires were spread to individuals working in the two sectors. Several goals have been achieved through numerous consequences, the most important of which are: 1. Seventy-one samples indicated that the main target of corruption is the absence of patriotism and religious morals, followed by weak public oversight at a rate of 66%. 2. Negligence and negligence at a rate of 67% and bribery at a rate of 62% are among the most vital forms of administrative economic corruption that the study sample agreed upon. 3. 73% of the sample indicated that one of the methods through which administrative economic corruption is disregarded is applying the limits of the law, followed by 64% activating the role of oversight and changing its current status.

Cost analysis study of price variation among the various brands of proton pump inhibitors available in Benghazi-Libya

Background: A large proportion of patients in developing countries have to pay out of pocket for their medications. The prices of different brands of the same medications vary considerably and may vary from one community pharmacy to another. This study was undertaken to evaluate the variation in costs of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and histamine H2-receptor antagonists available in Libya. Methods: Prices of various brands of PPI and various formulations were collected from four community pharmacies in the city of Benghazi. Both cost ratio and percentage variation were calculated and compared for various brands of the same strength and number of tablets, capsules, injections, or syrups. Results: The highest cost ratio and percentage price variation were found with omeprazole 20 mg, followed by omeprazole 40 mg. Other significant cost variations (>100%) were seen with pantoprazole 40 mg, Downoprazol (omeprazole + sodium bicarbonate) 40 mg, and esomeprazole 40 mg. Ampoules of omeprazole, cimetidine, and ranitidine had cost ratios of 1:1.7, 1:1.7, and 1:1.8, and cost variation ratios of 71.4, 66.7, and 75, respectively. Variations in prices of PPI and histamine H2 antagonists from the same manufacturer between different community pharmacies were common. The highest percentage cost variation (100) was seen with omeprazole 20 mg. Conclusions: Due to political instability, the prices of all drugs are controlled by importing private companies and the owners of community pharmacies instead of governmental authorities, that leads to cost variations. Therefore, the health authorities exert strict control on pricing of medications.

Using Balanced Scorecard to Evaluate Overall Performance of Social Security Fund in Benghazi – Libya

The study aims to evaluate overall performance of Social Security Fund in city of Benghazi – Libya. The study population included the employees at Social Security Fund at East Benghazi branch for the period from February 2024 to March 2024. The data for this study were collected by distributing a questionnaire form on a random sample of the study population. The study has only one variable balanced scorecard with its perspectives (Financial, Customer, Internal Processes and Learning and Innovation perspective). The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was also used to analyze the data obtained. Results showed that there is a high percentage using of all perspectives of the balanced scorecard in the Social Security Fund East Benghazi Branch, In addition, the results showed that there are no statistically significant differences between the averages of the respondents’ responses regarding the degree of using the balanced scorecard as a tool to evaluate the overall performance of the Social Security Fund East Benghazi Branch, due to personal data (gender, age, qualification, years of service and job title). The study suggested that supporting and adopting the balanced scorecard as a tool for evaluating the overall performance of the Social Security Fund East Benghazi Branch, and need to enhance interest in using the perspectives of the balanced scorecard as a tool for overall performance evaluation.

Evaluation of Gynecologists‧ Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Oral Health Condition During Pregnancy in the City of Benghazi, Libya

Background A pregnant woman with dental issues may not see a dentist unless her gynecologist advices her to do so. Thus, gynecologists need to be aware of the impact of dental health on pregnancy and what pregnant women need to do to improve their dental health. Aim The aim of this study is to evaluate gynecologists' awareness, understanding, and practice regarding the impacts of dental therapy during pregnancy and the influence of dental disease on pregnancy outcomes. Methods All the data in this cross-sectional study were acquired from gynecologists in public and private hospitals in Benghazi, Libya, over a period of 6 months during 2022. A modified structured questionnaire developed by Paneer et al consisting of 20 closed-ended questions related to oral care of pregnant patients was given to the participating gynecologists. Data obtained were presented as frequencies and percentages using the SPSS statistical package. Results Sixty gynecologists, with ages ranging from 35 to 65 years, completed the questionnaire. The majority (81%) recognized that pregnancy increases the risk of gingival inflammation, but only 60% attributed this to hormonal changes. While 45% were aware of the impact of periodontal inflammation on pregnancy outcomes, only 38.3% knew about its association with preterm birth and low birth weight. Most participants (83%) considered dental referral important, and 81.7% believed oral cavity examination should be a part of maternal health, yet only 36% actually performed it. Ninety percent of the participants reported that they advise pregnant women on oral hygiene and routine checkups. Regarding safety, only 46.7% believed radiographs to be safe during pregnancy, and 51.7% considered local anesthesia with vasoconstriction safe. However, 95% agreed that the second and third trimesters are the safest period for dental treatment. Conclusion The results of the current study show that gynecologists are fairly knowledgeable about the link between dental health and pregnancy. There is, however, unquestionably some miscomprehension about offering dental care to expectant mothers. Pregnant women and the medical community need access to more information, and misconceptions about suitable dental procedures during pregnancy must be addressed to improve oral health care.

Oral Cancer Knowledge, Practices, and Attitudes: A Survey of Libyan Dentists

Dentists play an important role in early detection of oral cancerous lesions. several studies indicate that dentists lack knowledge in oral cancer etiology and diagnosis. Role in the control studies assessing dentists' oral cancer awareness in Libya are lacking. Objectives: This study examined the oral cancer awareness and practice among dentists in Libya. Materials and methods: : Administered questionnaires were distributed on dentists working in private and public clinics in the city of Benghazi. Participants’ responses to the questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: Three hundred dentists returned completed questionnaires; 237 (79%) females and 63 (21%) males and most of them were under 40 years old 227 (75.7%). Although most dentists were knowledgeable about the most common site, type, and screening method of oral cancer, only about half of the dentists were aware of tobacco as the main risk factor and biopsy as the most proper diagnostic technique for oral cancer. Despite that 86% of the dentists reported that they perform mucosal examination as part of their routine dental examination, about half of the dentists reported lack of confidence in detecting oral cancer and most dentists expressed need for further education and training in this area. Conclusion: Overall, this study highlighted the importance of introducing continuous education and training programs to dentists which could increase oral cancer prevention and survival rates among oral cancer patients.

Evaluation of Intern Students Knowledge of Complete Denture Impression Practice in Benghazi University

Objectives: The aim of treatment with complete denture is to restore function and esthetics and maintain patient health. Making an accurate impression is a very critical factor for success or failure of the complete dentures. The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge of intern dental students about procedures followed in impression practice for complete denture construction in the city of Benghazi.
 Materials and method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done amongst dental intern students in Benghazi city, Libya. A total of 120 students were selected randomly. A survey was conducted through a printed standard questionnaire with 13 multiple-choice questions, only 81 questionnaires returned. Data from the completed questionnaires were collected and analyzed, the statistical analysis was done using SPSS statistical software version 23 (SPSS, IBM, Armonk, NY, USA).
 Results: Low knowledge scores were found regarding the final impression material, the tray fabrication steps (spacer and relieve holes) and the timing of previous denture discontinuation prior to the primary impression step. Also, a low level of knowledge was found regarding the stage of posterior palatal seal establishment. The scores for all the questions were calculated and tabulated; the scores 1,2 and 3 are low knowledge (57%), good knowledge (43%) and excellent knowledge 0% respectively.
 Conclusion: The percentage of low knowledge level was significantly higher than expected, as observed in the overall results indicating that there are procedures and information about complete denture impression practice that remains unknown to the interns, which influence the denture satisfaction of the patient. Changes in the undergraduate education system to focus on these aspects may facilitate the interns to gain more knowledge regarding complete denture impression procedures especially final impression.

National Libyan records on blood cellular elements of the Long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus)

This study is an attempt to describe some aspects relating to the blood cells of one of Libya's wildlife animals, the long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus). The investigation focused on the morphology of the blood cells in newborn and adult animals that were obtained from the city of Benghazi. Four one-day-old hedgehoglets and 20 adult hedgehogs were utilised to prepare stained blood smears. Structural features of blood cells of both young and adult animals did not show prominent variations from each other. Neutrophils nuclei had a band and multilobulated appearance. The maximal number of nuclear lobes reached seven in the newborn hedgehogs and eight in the adult and the joining threads between the lobes were mostly very obvious. The Barr body could not be observed in neutrophils of the female animals. Non-lobulated nuclei were encountered in the eosinophils of the adult animals, whereas the nuclear trilobulation could be noticed in the eosinophils of both groups of hedgehogs. Basophils of the newborn hedgehogs showed large irregular nuclei, whereas those of the adults had partially divided indented nuclei. Small, medium and large lymphocytes could be observed in blood films of the newborn and adult animals. However, the majority of the lymphocytes were small in size. Eccentrically located nuclei with kidney-shaped, horseshoe, oval and round appearances were recorded in monocytes of both groups of animals. Platelets of the newborn and adult hedgehogs were non-nucleated and had round to oval shapes. A centrally located dark area surrounded by a less dense area was obvious. The discoid non-nucleated erythrocytes had a biconcave appearance in both groups of hedgehogs.

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF A SOLID WASTE LANDFILL ON THE QUALITY OF GROUNDWATER WELLS IN THE BENGHAZI, QANFOUDA REGION

In the Qanfouda region, west of the city of Benghazi, this study sought to evaluate the contamination of groundwater wells in residences. The purpose of the study was to determine the extent of groundwater access and the effects that solid waste leachate has on it in the city’s surrounding areas, as well as to evaluate the WQI of the well water. To assess the quality, samples were taken from 8 domestic wells in the area. 11 quality indicators were employed for drinking purposes. Odor, color, pH, soluble salts group, sodium, cadmium, lead, chrome, mercury, total number of bacteria, and coliform bacteria were the tests that were being studied. It also revealed that the water samples used for the study contained lead, cadmium, and sodium as well as a total amount of bacteria and coliform bacteria. These analyses were done in the water and food analysis facilities of the Arab Medical University. And that the Al-Marous village wells*, which have a lead value of 0.017 ppm, have the highest level of lead. Similar to lead, the area opposite the dump had the greatest quantity of cadmium, which was 0.013 ppm. Additionally, a sample taken in the area opposite a dump had the highest concentration of the element sodium. and its concentration was 215.070 ppm. The Qanfouda sample, which was taken in the opposite direction of the landfill to the left of the landfill, likewise contained a total of bacteria and coliform bacteria, at a concentration of (69, 16 colonies / ml). Additionally, the color and smell of the Qanfudah sample, which is located across from the dump and to the left of it, are unsatisfactory, and the concentration of dissolved salts is beyond what is permissible in all samples. The findings show that none of the studied samples’ well water fell within the parameters that Libya’s national drinking water specification allows. released in 2020 by the National Center for Standardization and Standards. Gravimetric water quality index (WQI) was utilized.

ASSESSMENT IMPACT OF SOLID WASTEWATER ON GROUNDWATER SAMPLES IN GANFOUDA AREA LOCATED IN BENGHAZI CITY

Groundwater is an essential component for most people in the world. It meets the drinking water needs of more than fifty percent of the world’s population. Unfortunately, groundwater can become contaminated. This occurs in cases where some man-made solid waste or several heavy metals such as nitrate, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury come into contact with underground water. This paper aims to evaluate the quantity of groundwater contamination in the Ganfouda area, west of the city of Benghazi, where some samples of water were collected from eight from several underground wells in the Ganfouda area. The results of this work showed high concentrations of dissolved solids, Sodium ion, Cadmium, lead and Bacteria Leachate in all collected samples. Through the results of the study that indicated groundwater contamination in the selected areas, we urge local authorities to monitor the quality and content of groundwater in landfills in the Ganfouda area in particular and in cities with high population density in general and to monitor water quality periodically.

Bacterial Evaluation of Fresh Juices Sold in Cafes and Restaurants in the City of Benghazi, Libya

Food safety is a big challenge that concern all human communities and food production factories. The information on the bacterial evaluations of fresh natural juices in the city of Benghazi remained very limited and unclear. This study was carried out to evaluate the bacterial contamination for two of the most popular selling freshly made juices, including mango and strawberry juices. The results of screening showed bacterial growth in 117 (91.41%) out of the total samples 128. The evaluation during the second season showed a higher bacterial growth rate of 96.55 %. The most predominant bacteria contaminating the targeted juices was Klebsiella pneumoniae, with an average of (36.21%), followed by fecal Escherichia coli (31.03%) for both juices. All the contaminated juices represented bacteria count out of the accepted value. Gram-negative pathogens showed resistance to limited antibiotics, including Amoxicillin, Amikacin, and Clarithromycin, whereas the Gram-positive bacteria showed higher resistance rates. This study concluded that, increase in bacterial diversity and bacterial count out of the accepted standard as well as the presence of fecal E. coli indicating a poor level of hygiene during the process of preparing juices, leading to the possibility of causing diseases and exposing people to food poisoning.

First record of Pluchea dioscoridis (Asteraceae) in Northern Libya

Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) DC. is a species native to Eastern Africa that has been recorded for the first time in northern Libya. It was discovered growing around the city of Benghazi in populations of more than 100 plants beside roads and inside city gardens, and also on the edge of the salt marshes in a typical wet habitat of halophyte plants about five kilometres east of Benghazi and not far from the shoreline in north-east Libya. Populations of this plant were first noticed in 2018 once the civil war was over in Benghazi and confirmed during an investigative research project that aimed to evaluate the state of vegetation four years after the evacuation of the city.

Susceptibility and Resistance Patterns of Bacteria Isolated from Infected Wounds, Burn, Medical Device Tips and Blood to Doxycycline and Septrin from Patients in the City of Benghazi

Wound infections and septicemia with drug-resistant bacteria lead to higher mortality and morbidity and increased healthcare costs. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence rate of nosocomial bacterial agents with antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients. Samples are collected from the wound pus, burn; medical device tip and blood of male and female patients and are sent for culture and sensitivity to the Microbiology Department of Al Saleem medical laboratory, Benghazi, Libya, from October 2021 to January 2022. Collected blood samples were directly inoculated into brain heart infusion (BHI) broth, while various swabs were collected by Transport medium and both are cultured on Blood agar, Chocolate agar, MacConkey - aerobic and anaerobic blood agar at 35°C, with CO2. The wound pus was the most samples from which bacteria were isolated, followed by medical device tip swabs, and the least isolation was from a blood specimen. 47 of the specimens were culture-positive. Of these Staph aureus, Strep pneumonia and E. coli were the most abundant bacterial identified in clinical samples. According to susceptibility testing results, antibiotic resistance patterns of Gram-negative bacteria showed that the highest resistance rate was against Septrin (74.4%) and the lowest rate, 17.8%, was related to Doxycycline (44.6%) respectively. The isolates from the nosocomial infection in these patients are resistant to Septrin and Doxycycline antibiotics. We recommend that whenever the diagnosis of nosocomial infection is made, a more effective antibiotic treatment be instituted until the susceptibility of the strain is identified.

Bacteriological Examination of Bottled Drinking Water in Benghazi-Libya

During the past three years a new trend has been widely spread, represented in the sale of bottled water produced by reverse osmosis, in the city of Benghazi. A cross-sectional descriptive study has been carried out aiming to evaluate the quality of water produced as purified and sold as “bottled water”, under the bacteriological aspects. Fourteen sites of these locations were inventoried by means of search and inspect as related data was not available by concerned authorities on the number of these locations and their conditions of operations. A questionnaire was prepared gathering information including all owners which were catalogues, and one hundred citizens representing all society’s segments and consumers of such water, were equally poled. Study results showed: 1) 7.7% of bottled water samples were bacteriologically contaminated. 2) Lack of awareness and environmental education and the citizens being influenced by rumors and advertisement of outlets’ owners, have all lead 52% of consumers, covered by the study, to decline the use of tap water doubting its purity and safety.

A Determining and comparing lead and cadmium concentration in Sediments of the Coast of Benghazi – Libya

This study was designed to measure the content of lead and cadmium in coastal sediments in the coastal city of Benghazi as an indicator of the pollution of these areas with these metals. The study included measuring the average concentration of lead and cadmium metals in the study areas, which included each Sidi Khalifa, Galiana, and Garyounis, at different distances. The obtained results showed that the average concentration of lead and cadmium is 1.263 ppm and 0.304 ppm, respectively, in all study areas. The results of the statistical analysis (SPSS-26) show that there are significant differences at a probability level of less than 0.05, indicating that the studied sediments contain lead and cadmium in all study areas, and the lowest concentration of lead and cadmium was present in the sediment samples collected at a distance of 2 m. From the coast of the city of Benghazi.

Assessing of practices and preventive measures for the environmental outbreak of the Corona pandemic: An Analytical study of sample workers in the city of Benghazi

Throughout human history, epidemics and chronic diseases have claimed the lives of many people, and the appearing Corona virus (Covid 19) that emerging in China in December 2019, and spreading from it to various parts of the whole world today, has brought the death outcome from it to more than 3,000,000 three million deaths, more than 141 One hundred and forty-one million cases of coronavirus in the world. Despite the data and information provided by the competent authorities in Libya about the pandemic, such as (the National Center for Disease Control in Tripoli, and the Medical Advisory Committee to combat the Corona epidemic in Benghazi), there is a great deal of fear among workers due to the conditions of ambiguity and uncertainty about the disease and the fate of patients and the suffering that they face. And because this topic has not received enough attention from researchers in studying this pandemic in Libya in particular, awareness-raising efforts have become about ways of transmission and prevention and how to deal with infected people as the first line of defense to prevent the spread of the virus.

Infection Control Practice: A cross-sectional Survey on Dental Laboratory Technicians in Benghazi, Libya

Objectives: Infection control represents the main concern in dental laboratories in recent years regarding the perceived risk of patients and professionals from getting infected. Even if the dental technicians do not come in direct contact with the patient's oral cavity, there is a risk of contamination from the prosthetic items coming from the dental office. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of dental lab technicians toward infection control protocols at the dental laboratories of Benghazi, Libya.
 Materials and Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among prosthodontic dental technicians in the city of Benghazi, Libya. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed as a hard copy to the dental lab technicians working at both governmental and private dental laboratories (3 governmental and 7 private dental laboratories). The data was conducted using the SPSS program (SPSS 16 for windows, SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA); a P-value of 0.05 or less was considered significant.
 Results: The response rate among dental technicians was 93%. The major age group of participants was (21-40 years) who work in a private dental laboratory with less than ten years of experience. 60.2% of the technicians had a valid hepatitis B vaccination, and 46.2% had received infection control training courses as part of their orientation, when respondents were asked about the most dangerous steps in the dental laboratory 60.1% of them answered dealing with impressions.
 Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, the respondents demonstrated varying levels of knowledge, attitude and infection control practices. More efforts are needed to improve infection control practices and to apply appropriate policies in order to ensure the safety of the technicians and patients.

Geography of gardens and public parks in the city of Benghazi

The study aims to achieve a set of objectives that would give a complete picture of parks and parks in the city of Benghazi, in order to identify the geographical distribution of public parks in the city, as well as to identify the efficiency of public parks in the city In addition to identifying the social and economic characteristics of those who frequent these parks. The study also found results, including that 42.2% of the total number of visitors to parks are of the age group 10 years and younger. As for the educational level, the study found that 53.2% of the total number of visitors to the parks have a university level of education and above. The study also concluded that when the level of monthly income rises, the frequency of public parks in the city of Benghazi increases.

Geography of gardens and public parks in the city of Benghazi

Geography of gardens and public parks in the city of Benghazi

Oral health status in individuals with Down syndrome

ABSTRACT Down syndrome (DS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of known genetic cause, with a wide array of oral and systemic manifestations. The aim of the present study is to determine the level of oral hygiene status and practice of a group of individuals with DS in Benghazi/Libya. In this cross–sectional study 124 individuals were recruited from The Rehabilitation Centre of Special Needs in the city of Benghazi, Libya. Questionnaires were distributed among the attendees, covering oral health aspects and diet habits. Oral examination was conducted to evaluate oral health status among individuals with DS. The data were analysed descriptively and inferentially (including Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test) using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 20 (SPSS). Most of DS individuals brush their teeth once daily (62%), spending less than one minute in brushing (44%). For diet habits, more than half (55%) eat sweet snacks between meals. For the dental status, 47% of the subject had zero DMFT, followed by score 2 in 21%. The highest percentage in Oral hygiene Index (OHI) was scored 1 by 46% of participants. The zero CPITN score was seen in 54.5%. Our results have shown a weaker tendency of DS towards oral hygiene. This should strengthen our goal of guiding and encouraging parents of individuals with DS to be more cautious in providing help and supervision of their individuals’ practice of oral health care.