The Significance of Urinalysis in Health: A Review of Findings amongst Staff of a Teaching Hospital in South East Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Urinalysis is a simple and cost effective medical tool used in the assessment of urinary abnormalities for early detection and prompt manage-ment of asymptomatic pathologies. Aim: This study assessed the urine profile of newly employed health workers of a Teaching Hospital in South East Nige-ria. Method: A descriptive retrospective approach was employed to assess the urine parameters of 512 employees. Results: Abnormal findings occurred in 30.7% of the population, with ascorbic acid being the most common (11.5%) while the least was nitrite constituting 0.58% of the population. The study also revealed that only one male employee had abnormal urine pH. There was no significant association (p > 0.05) between gender and urine abnormalities. Conclusion: Routine urinalysis should be included in pre-employment medi-cal exams for disease surveillance.