Anthropometric dimensions of hand and foot as predictors of stature: A study of two ethnic groups in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Anthropometry as a science deals with the study of human measurements with a view towards the understanding of physical variations that exist in human population groups. Estimation of stature is very important in the investigation process of unknown and co-mingled human remains in mass casualties and natural disasters. Stature or height therefore is critically essential in human identification. Aim: This study was aimed at determining stature using the anthropometric measurements of hand and foot dimensions in two ethnic Nigerian populations. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 384 Nigerian students selected using random sampling technique was used. These subjects were male and female volunteers of two ethnic groups' aged between18 and 30 years. Cochran method for sample size determination was used. All measurements of hand and foot dimensions were recorded to the nearest centimetre using standardized anthropometric measuring equipment and the mean actual and estimated stature obtained. Results: The study showed significant gender difference in mean right and left hand breadth but not the mean right and left hand length (P < 0.05). Similarly, there was a statistically significant gender difference between the mean right and left foot breadth (P < 0.05), but not between the mean right and left foot breadth and right foot lengths respectively (P > 0.05). The study further showed that in both gender, that breadth parameters showed stronger correlations in hand and foot dimensions. There was also a significant association between the mean left hand length and right and left hand breadth (P < 0.05) but not with the mean right hand length (P = 0.853). There was also significant association in the mean left foot length and the right and left foot breadths (P < 0.05) but not in the right foot lengths (P = 0.294). The mean estimated value of stature using linear and multiple regression equations for all parameters ranged from 164.53 cm to 165.57 cm while the mean actual stature from the study was 165.30 cm for all the subjects, specifically, 165.90 cm for the Igbos and 164.79 cm for the Isokos respectively. Conclusion: Our study showed that stature can be accurately estimated using all hand and foot parameters and this is of medico-legal importance.

Misuse of analysis of variance in African biomedical journals: a call for more vigilance

“…The unfulfilled assumption of the four articles in question relates to the independent variable. Igbigbi et al (2018) in article number 12 stated that "the comparison between ethnic groups was by means of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)", whereas the authors studied only two ethnic groups (Delta Igbos and Isokos) as categorical independent variables (Emara et al 2018). A similar scenario also played out in articles number 27 (Ephraim et al 2018), number 13 (Field 2013) and number 5 (Gore et al 1977) where all groups of authors stated that they employed one-way ANOVA test.…”

“…The authors of articles number 1 did not perform or state that they performed a post hoc analysis. Similar to article 1, authors of articles number 3 (Igbigbi et al 2018), 4 (Iikasha et al 2019) and 6 (Iyomon et al 2016) also compared differences among means of several categorical independent variables without mentioning the use the ANOVA test. The act of not mentioning the statistical test employed for each analysis embarked upon in a study could be misleading to readers.…”

Prediction of stature from long bones versus hand and foot measurements: A comparative study of the Kolhapur population

“…A positive correlation was observed between stature and hand and foot length, concurrent to the present findings. 11 In long bones, a strong correlation exists between ulnar length and stature, and this holds true for Asian ethnicities. 12 However, ulnar length varies between populations, necessitating population-specific studies.…”

New evidence of prehistoric human activity on the central Tibetan plateau during the early to middle Holocene

“…Therefore, footprints were typically identified by the depression made by spreading toes, a wider forefoot, narrower metapedes, and a clear rim structure. Secondary confirmation of hand and footprints can be made by fitting a modern hand or foot to the prints, on account of the similarity of the bone structure of hands and feet associated with bipedalism (Aubert et al, 2018; Bennett et al, 2013; Hoffmann et al, 2018; Igbigbi et al, 2018; Kanchan et al, 2010). The prints that fitted well with those of modern humans were numbered (Figure 2c and d).…”