Trends and patterns of deaths, injuries and intentional disabilities within the Libyan armed conflict: 2012-2017

Abstract

Background The consequences of armed conflicts impose considerable burdens on the economy and health care services, particularly in countries that are not equipped to deal with them, such as in the Middle-East, and North African countries. Little is known about the burden of mortality and injury resulting from the Libyan armed conflict. This study aimed to determine the trends and patterns of mortality, injury and disabilities directly associated with the Libyan armed conflict and analyze the geographic variation within the country during 2012–2107. Methods Data on conflict-related deaths, injuries, and disabilities were obtained from the national registry offices. The information included date, place, and demographic information. A questionnaire was also used to obtain information from the affected individuals and their families. National and regional trends of mortality, injury and disabilities were calculated. Spatial analysis was performed using geographic data available on all documented cases to analyze clustering of mortality and injury. Results A total of 16,126 deaths and 42,633 injuries were recorded with complete information during the Libyan conflict from 2012 till 2017. The overall mortality rate was 2.7/1000 population and injury rate was 7.1/1000. The overall male-to-female ratio of mortality and injury was 4.4:1; 42.3% were single and aged 20–30 years old, and 26.4% were aged 31–40 years. Moreover, injuries resulted in death in 20.1% of cases and disability in 33.5% of the cases. Most of the disabilities were caused by blasts, while gun shots resulted in more deaths. The overall mortality and injury rates were highest during 2015–2017. These rates were highest in the eastern region. Injuries were most concentrated in Benghazi and Derna in the east, followed by Sert and Musrata in the central region. Conclusions Conflict-related mortality, injury and disability has inflicted a heavy burden on the Libyan society that may persist for a long time. The rates of these casualties varied in time and place. National, well-planned efforts are needed to address this serious situation and its consequences.

Preliminary epidemiological analysis of suspected cases of corona virus infection in Libya

“…Dear Editor, Since December 2019, Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), a new emerging infectious disease occurred in Wuhan, has spread all over the world and WHO has declared that the infection is "Pandemic" and No country and region can be considered safe (1). Despite that all measures has been taken and clearly illustrated by WHO and CDC such measure can not be easily applied and followed within the conflict areas in the world such as Syria , Yemen and Libya which suffers mostly (2). Libya has been hampered by a major armed conflict since 2011.…”

Corona virus infection in Syria, Libya and Yemen; an alarming devastating threat

“…The highest rate of mortality was reported in the Syrian conflict (7; 1000) followed by Libya (5; 1000) and Yamen (3; 1000). Such conflicts were complicated by the destruction of health care system, lack of food and unstable daily life [2]. This was resulted in emergence of highly infectious diseases such as hemorrhagic fever, cholera and Tuberculosis [3].…”

The epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in Libya during the ongoing-armed conflict. 

“…Information on the armed con ict was obtained from the army press o ces in Tripoli and Benghazi and from the Ministry of State for Families of Martyrs, Injuries and Missing Persons, as described previously [10,11]. These data include the number of deaths and injuries.…”

“…Libya is the second largest African country, borders the Mediterranean Sea, and possesses huge natural resources. But the armed con ict that started in 2011 has continued and became more complicated by April 2019, resulting in extensive mortality, injury and population displacement [10,11].…”