Abstract

Key populations, such as people who inject drugs (PWID), female sex workers (FSWs), and men who have sex with men (MSM), are at increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and infection-related morbidity and mortality. In addition, these infections are more likely to occur among vulnerable populations. The burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a major public health concern worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that a substantial proportion of new infections occurs in the African Region. Up-to-date data on the prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV infection among high-risk and vulnerable groups remain scarce in Libya, a North African country affected by conflict and social barriers that make it difficult to establish the prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV. This article aims to describe the epidemiology of HIV, HBV, and HCV among high-risk and vulnerable populations in Libya. A detailed review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and reports from WHO and UNAIDS. The literature on the prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV among PWID, FSWs, MSM, prisoners, hemodialysis patients, migrants, blood transfusion recipients, individuals undergoing dental procedures, and healthcare workers was collected, and the findings were synthesized to provide an overview of the current status of high-risk populations in Libya. Health education may help reduce the ongoing transmission of HIV and viral hepatitis among key populations. Further efforts are required to align national responses with global goals for eliminating HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C as public health threats.

Key words: Epidemiology; Hepatitis virus; Human immunodeficiency virus; Libya; Vulnerable populations.