Estimation of Stature from Anthropometric Length Parameters and Sitting Height of Agoi, Ayiga, Ekoi and Lokaa Adult of Yakurr, Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria
Stature estimation has a significant importance in the field of forensic anthropology. Assessment of the height of an individual, from measurements of different parts of the body, has always been of immense interest to anatomists, anthropologists and forensic experts. Stature is fundamental to establishing an individual’s identity. The present study was designed to generate regression equations for stature estimation using demi span, biaxillary, hand and foot lengths and sitting height, in some ethnic populations of Yakurr, Cross River State. The subjects (male n = 400 and female n = 400) were adult indigenes of Agoi, Ayiga, Ekoi and Lokaa between the ages of 18 and 32 years from Yakurr LGA. The participants were mostly students in College of Nursing and non-students of the named communities. Weight, demispan length, biaxillary length, hand length, foot length and sitting height of each individual were measured. The data were analysed statistically using SigmaStat 3.5 (Systat Inc., San Rafael, CA). Statistical analysis indicated that the difference in demi span length, hand length, foot length and sitting height between male and female was statistically significant (P< 0.05). Correlation coefficients between stature and the dimensions measured were found to be highly significant and positively correlated with stature in both sexes. Linear regression models and multiple regression models were derived for estimation of stature from the different anthropometric measurements. Multiple regression models estimate stature with greater accuracy than the linear regression models. The study shows that estimation of stature can be made possible using various anthropometric dimensions of the body, however, sitting height was more reliable in estimating stature in both male and female subjects.
Key Words: Stature estimation; Demi span, Hand, Foot lengths; Sitting height; Anthropometry Agoi; Ayiga; Ekoi; Lokaa