Role of Physiological Assessment in Pre-Employment Medical Screening for Security Personnel in Lagos State

Pre-employment medical screening that incorporates physiological assessment ensures that security personnel meet the physical demands of their roles, thereby reducing occupational injury risk and liability. This study evaluated the role and adequacy of physiological assessments in pre-employment screening for security personnel in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. A cross-sectional audit was conducted across ten security firms, reviewing 200 pre-employment screening records. The physiological parameters routinely assessed were documented and benchmarked against recommended national and international occupational health standards. Additionally, newly recruited security personnel were administered a battery of physiological tests including cardiovascular fitness, lung function, grip strength, and blood pressure. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied. Results showed that existing pre-employment protocols focused primarily on blood pressure and visual acuity, with minimal incorporation of cardiovascular fitness or musculoskeletal assessment. Among newly tested recruits, 23.5 percent had cardiovascular fitness indices below occupationally acceptable thresholds. Hypertension was detected in 18 percent of recruits but had not been documented in prior screenings. The study concludes that physiological screening protocols for security personnel in Lagos are inadequate relative to professional standards. Structured multidimensional physiological assessments with clear pass criteria and follow-up protocols are recommended for all security firms. Keywords: pre-employment screening, security personnel, cardiovascular fitness, physiological assessment, Lagos.