Comparative Analysis of Craniofacial Parameters of the Atyap, Bajju, Chawai and Ham Ethnic Groups from Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Populations vary genetically and geographically in their craniofacial features, which are largely influenced by race, age, sex, and culture. The aim of this study was to comparatively analyze the craniofacial parameters of the Atyap, Bajju, Chawai, and Ham ethnic groups from southern Kaduna, Kaduna State. These ethnic groups share common geographical and cultural attributes. The study involved 830 subjects: 210 Atyap (121 males, 89 females), 200 Bajju (117 males, 83 females), 215 Chawai (134 males, 81 females), and 205 Ham (116 males, 89 females), aged between 17 and 50 years. The data were collected randomly using a systematic sampling method from districts covering the four ethnic groups. The results showed that there is a significant difference between males and females of the four ethnic groups in their craniofacial parameters, except in the middle 3rd parameter. Additionally, the results showed sexual dimorphism between males and females of the four ethnic groups, except for the Chawai ethnic group. In conclusion, the study indicates that there is a significant difference in the craniofacial parameters of the four ethnic groups. The ethnic groups have mesocephalic cranial shapes and hyper-euryprosopic facial shape

Key Words: Craniofacial, Parameters, photogrammetric, facial index, cranial index