Assessment of Biosafety and Biosecurity Practices at Diagnostic Medical Laboratories in Tarhuna, Libya: A cross-sectional study

Background: Diagnostic medical laboratories routinely handle potentially infectious specimens, making adherence to biosafety and biosecurity standards essential for protecting laboratory personnel, patients, and the wider community. National assessments indicate that Libya still lacks an approved regulatory framework for laboratory bio-risk management, and empirical data on everyday practice at the local level remain scarce, particularly outside the main urban centers. Aim: To assess the level of compliance with biosafety and biosecurity standards among public and private diagnostic medical laboratories in Tarhuna, Libya, and to identify the principal barriers to implementation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2025 and February 2026 in 20 diagnostic medical laboratories (five public and 15 private) in Tarhuna, Libya. Data were collected from 48 laboratory staff members using a structured self-administered questionnaire complemented by a direct observational assessment checklist covering infrastructure, personal protective equipment (PPE), biological waste management, training, and general safety/emergency preparedness. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were computed, and the findings are presented in tables and figures in the following sections. Results: Most surveyed laboratories were privately operated (75.0%). Three-quarters of the staff (75.0%) reported having received biosafety or biosecurity training. Glove use was universal (100.0%), whereas none of the respondents used protective goggles (0.0%). Direct observation revealed a mean compliance ranging from 40.0% for general safety and emergency preparedness to 75.0% for biological waste management. The most frequently reported barriers to implementation were a lack of equipment (34.7%) and training (30.6%). Conclusion: Biosafety and biosecurity practices among diagnostic laboratories in Tarhuna showed partial compliance with recommended standards, with pronounced deficits in protective eyewear, emergency preparedness, and proper documentation. Strengthening equipment provision, structured training, and national regulatory oversight are recommended to reduce the risk of laboratory-acquired infections and biosecurity deficiencies.