Journal of Blood Disorders & Transfusion

Abstract

Urinalysis Assessment of Potential Blood Donors in a Tertiary Hospital, South-Western Nigeria

Abiodun Ajeigbe*

Background: Blood donors are routinely screened for eligibility to donate blood, safe for transfusion and primarily directed to protect the recipient. The donors are usually assumed healthy and there is no protocol for routine medical assessment of donors hence, this study.

Objective: To assess the urinalysis findings of potential blood donors attending the donor centre of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife.

Methodology: Two hundred prospective blood donors were recruited between January and March 2019. Data on demography and medical history were obtained from each subject using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, followed by collection of 10 millilitre urine for dipstick analysis.

Results: Subjects were predominantly males (94.5%) with mean age of 29.3 ± 7 years. Majority (88.5%) of donors had a minimum of secondary school education and 61.5% were self-employed. Seventy percent of subjects had no prior routine medical examination. Mean body mass index (21.3 kg/m2 ± 4.6 kg/m²) and blood pressure (117/72.6 mmHg ± 25.1/17.1 mmHg) were normal. However, proteinuria, urobilinuria, hematuria, nitrituria, leucocyturia and ketonuria were found in 31.5%, 10.5%, 8.5%, 3%, 5.5% and 1% for respectively.

Discussion: This study found that self-employed individuals constitute pool of potential donors without routine medical investigations. Abnormal urinalysis were not uncommon in them suggesting undetected health challenges despite being eligible to donate.

Conclusion: Potential blood donors will benefit from routine medical investigations at the point of donation, as this will give a general overview of their health, as well as promoting safe and healthy donation.

Published Date: 2024-09-13; Received Date: 2021-01-11