Estimation of stature using arm-span of adult females in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Anthropometry is a typical and basic tool of physical anthropology which forms the basis of scientific methods and techniques on which measurements and physical observations on the living as well as skeleton of man are built. In developing countries, this is an essential tool for effective health care delivery as well as in forensic medicine. This research was aimed at determining if there exists a relationship between the standing height and the arm span of adult females in Jos and to derive equations that will be used to predict these parameters, one from another. With these equations the height of a young adult female can be predicted in conditions where height cannot be measured. This was a cross sectional study which examined the relationship between the standing height and arm span of 152 apparently healthy, randomly selected, consenting adult female students who fit the inclusion criteria. Measurements of standing height as well as arm span were taken using standardized methods and instruments and data collected was analysed using NCSS/ PASS 2006 Dawson Edition, USA. Mean age of the subjects was 23 ± 4 years. Mean standing height was 162.4 ± 6.4cm while mean arm span was 174.0 + 8.2cm. Correlation regression analyses done showed that arm span could predict height in females by 99.7% i.e. R²= 0.997 (P<0.05) and height could predict arm span by 99.7% (R²= 0.997) and regression equations were derived to predict height from arm span and vice versa for male adults in Jos. The findings of this study will be beneficial to health care professionals as well as forensic scientists and other stakeholders in the judicial system and as such, it is recommended that further similar research be carried out in other parts of the country.