Bilateral hand and digit lengths for stature estimation: A study of Isoko ethnic student populations in Nigeria

Abstract

The relationship between hand anthropometry and stature has been a subject of interest in anthropometric studies, particularly in understanding biological profiles across different populations. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between bilateral hand and finger measurements and stature among Isoko undergraduate students at Southern Delta University, to develop tailored stature-prediction equations for this population. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed, involving 180 participants (90 males and 90 females) aged 18 to 25 years. Ethical approval was obtained, and data were collected on participants' biological profiles, including age and sex, as well as hand and finger lengths and stature, using standardized measurement techniques. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23.0, employing descriptive and inferential statistics, including t-tests and linear regression analyses. The study revealed that males had a mean stature of 173.32 cm, significantly higher than the female average of 162.80 cm. Additionally, males exhibited longer hand lengths (HL), with right (R-) and left (L-) hands averaging 20.21 cm and 19.93 cm, respectively, compared to females' averages of 19.20 cm and 19.05 cm. All index (IFL), middle (MFL), and ring (RFL) lengths significantly differed between sexes. For both males and females, regression equations for determining stature (S) using HL, IFL, MFL, and RFL were deduced and found to be statistically significant. Conclusively, the linear regression equations deduced provide a framework for estimating stature based on bilateral hand and finger measurements for both males and females in the Isoko population, thereby highlighting the importance of considering ethnic factors and bilaterality in anthropometric research.