Dipstick urinalysis profile of an asymptomatic female group in south-east Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives: Routine dipstick urinalysis is a useful and inexpensive method for the early detection of asymptomatic diseases. Our study was carried out to detect the prevalence of urinary abnormalities among an apparently asymptomatic healthy female group and emphasize the value of routine dipstick urinalysis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among second to sixth (final)-year female medical students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi campus between 8 and 30 September 2019. A total of 100 subjects were enrolled. First-morning midstream urine samples were collected and promptly tested with dipstick strips. Subjects with abnormal findings were informed and treated appropriately. Results: In all, 54 (54%) of the subjects had urine abnormalities. Trace proteinuria was the commonest abnormality seen with a prevalence of 33%, followed by abnormal urine appearance (17%), leucocytes (14%), nitrites (8%) and urobilinogen (2%). Urine abnormalities were commoner in students who resided in the school hostel. Abnormal urine appearance was significantly associated with nitrites (0.003) and leucocytes (0.001). Conclusion: Routine dipstick urinalysis should be performed among students and apparently healthy individuals for early detection and diagnosis of renal diseases to facilitate quick interventions and prevent further progression.

Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant Nigerian women at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, south west Nigeria

“…10 In the past, urine examination involved the assessment of the appearance, odour and taste of urine, and certain physicians, known as Pisse Prophets, made lucrative business from urine examination (uroscopy) and its interpretation (uromancy). 11,12 With the advances in medicine, various methods have been developed to screen for asymptomatic bacteriuria; among these are urinalysis to look for protein, leucocytes, red blood cells, urine dipstick for nitrites and leukocyte esterase. These tests are readily available and easy to use, but they have poor predictive values and relatively high false negatives results.…”

“…A clean-catch (mid-asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant nigerian women at the lagos university Teaching Hospital, south west nigeria volume 22, issue 1, january -marCH 2023 stream) urine specimen is ideal and will have to be examined no later than 2 hours after collection in order to obtain accurate results. 11,12 The common etiologic agents of AB in pregnancy are the same as those of non-pregnant women. 9,10 Escherichia coli (E. coli) accounts for 80-90% of the causative agents in AB or UTI.…”

“…Other less frequent organisms are Group B streptococcus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. 9,10,11 The treatment goal of AB in pregnancy is to eradicate the infection with the shortest possible course of antibiotics and to maintain sterile urine for the remainder of pregnancy. 11 However, antibiotics to be chosen should be sensitive to the organism cultured and safe for mother and fetus.…”

“…9,10,11 The treatment goal of AB in pregnancy is to eradicate the infection with the shortest possible course of antibiotics and to maintain sterile urine for the remainder of pregnancy. 11 However, antibiotics to be chosen should be sensitive to the organism cultured and safe for mother and fetus. 9,11 Urinary antisepsis such as nitrofurantoin, and other antimicrobials for example, cephalexin, amoxicillin, Amoxicillin-clavunalate and fosfomycin are all considered safe for use in pregnancy.…”

“…11 However, antibiotics to be chosen should be sensitive to the organism cultured and safe for mother and fetus. 9,11 Urinary antisepsis such as nitrofurantoin, and other antimicrobials for example, cephalexin, amoxicillin, Amoxicillin-clavunalate and fosfomycin are all considered safe for use in pregnancy. 9,12,13 The obstetrician should also counsel the women on certain behavioural modifications that may or will enhance good hygiene and reduce bacterial contamination of the urethral meatus, these include: wiping from front-to-back after urinating or defecating, washing hands before using the toilet, using washcloths to clean the perineum, encouraging the use of liquid soap to prevent colonization from bar soap, and to clean the urethral meatus first when bathing.…”