Stature Estimation Using Arm Span, Arm Length, Forearm-hand Length, and Foot Length of Hausa Ethnic Group of Nigeria
Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, PMB 5323 Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria and Nigerian British University, Kilometer 10 Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway Asa, Abia State, Nigeria.
Loveday Ese Oghenemavwe
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, PMB 5323 Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Peter Done Okoh
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, PMB 5323 Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Lekpa Kingdom David
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, PMB 5323 Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Chile A. Oparaocha
Department of Fine Arts and Design, Faculty of Humanities, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, PMB 5323 Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Celestine Ebieto Ebieto
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, PMB 5323 Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Michael Anozie Amadi
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, Pamo University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Faustina Chiamaka Irozulike *
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, PMB 5323 Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria and Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Science, Rhema University, Aba, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Stature estimation has been useful in identifying body remains, especially during earthquakes, accidents, fire disasters, and other disasters.
Aim: To predict stature estimation using arm span, arm length, forearm-hand length and foot length among the Hausa ethnic group of Nigeria.
Methods: The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study design with a total of 300 subjects, (150 males and 150 females) between the ages of 18-35 years recruited for the study. The mega-size calliper was used to measure the anthropometric variables. Data analysis was done using a statistical package for social sciences version 23. Multivariate regression was used to estimate sex and stature. A probability less than 0.05 (p<0.05) was considered statistically significant and 95% was denoted as confidence level.
Results: The multivariate regression among the sexes to estimate stature using arm span, arm length, forearm-hand length, and foot length shows (R=0.81, SEE= 4.23). The stature predictive power of females was (R= 0.77, SEE=3.67) and males’ stature (R= 0.69, SEE=4.70). The highest correlation was found in females between arm span and stature (r=0.71) and males between foot length and stature (r=0.75).
Conclusion: The study observed that arm span and foot length show a positive correlation between stature in both sexes. However, arm and forearm-hand lengths show a moderate positive correlation. This research will be useful in forensics, anthropology and bioarchaeology.
Keywords: Forensics, stature, sex, hausa