PREVALENCE OF NAFLD IN THE GULF OF SIDRA, LIBYA

Currently the most common chronic liver condition, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major global health concern. Despite its rising global incidence, epidemiological data regarding NAFLD prevalence in Libya remain scarce. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of NAFLD among adults in Libya and evaluate its distribution across different age groups and genders. The study involved 200 participants of varying ages and genders recruited from a regional health center. Abdominal ultrasound was employed to screen for signs of fatty liver disease, and the collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. The results revealed higher prevalence of NAFLD in women (60.5%) compared to men (39.5%), with the highest prevalence rates observed in individuals aged 40 to 69 years. These findings indicate that NAFLD is becoming increasingly common both globally and within the local community. Consequently, there is an urgent need for enhanced awareness programs and effective management strategies at local, regional, and global levels to address this growing public health concern. Keywords: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), hepatic steatosis, ultrasonography, prevalence.