Sex Prediction Using Hand and Foot Anthropometric Variables of the Hausa Ethnic Group of Kano State, Nigeria

The study was designed to predict sex using hand and foot anthropometric variables among the Hausa ethnic group in Kano State, Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted on 444 participants (199 females and 245 males, age range: 11-26 years) across selected LGAs (Gwarzo, Gwale, and Kibiya) in Kano. Their height was measured using a stadiometer, and hand and foot dimensions were measured using a digital vernier calliper. Ink-soaked hand and footprints were printed on a plain sheet placed on a wooden platform, while hand and footprint dimensions were measured from the sheet. Descriptive statistics were computed to determine the mean ± SD. Sexual dimorphism was assessed using the independent t-test, and stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to predict sex. Most of the hand and foot variables are sexually dimorphic; males have significantly higher values in hand length, hand breadth, foot breadth, hand index, handprint length, handprint breadth, palmprint length, footprint length, footprint breadth, footprint heel breadth, mid footprint width, handprint index, and footprint index. In comparison, females have higher values of 2nd digit length, 3rd digit length, 4th digit length, 5th digit length, 2nd digit print length, and 2DP:4DP. Sex prediction using stepwise binary logistic regression indicated that palm length, 2nd digit length, hand breadth, and foot breadth were the best single predictors of sex, with an overall percentage accuracy of 75.6% and 76.3% in direct and print measurements, respectively. Therefore, hand and foot dimensions from either direct or indirect measurements can be used in sex prediction among the Hausa ethnic group in Kano.

Key Words: Sex, prediction, hand, foot, Hausa, Kano