Comparison of Facial Parameters Based on Levels of Masculinity and Femininity of Adult Hausa Male Taxi and Tricycle Drivers in Kano, Nigeria

Several studies have demonstrated that the face that contains a combination of highly feminine and masculine characteristics may obtain a score that recommends average masculinity in the other racial division, but whether this is true for the African population is not yet known. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to determine frequency distribution of masculinity and femininity levels of each facial parameter and to find out the best facial parameter that discriminate facial masculinity and femininity of the study population. Four hundred and two (402) subjects were selected from two associations in Kano State, Nigeria [Tsaya da Kafarka Taxi Drivers Association and Tricycle Operators Association Kano (TOAKAN)], using random sampling methods. The age range of the participants was between 18-50 years. Photographic methods were used to capture the face to measure the facial distance. Facial masculinity and femininity were derived from facial distances (captured image face). The present study established the base line data of frequency distribution of masculinity and femininity levels of facial parameters of the study population of Hausa ethnic origin. It was observed that facial parameter that best differentiated the level of masculinity and femininity was nose width per interpupillary distance (al1_al2: ipd: %).

Key Words: facial masculinity, facial femininity, frequency distribution