Facial Morphometry of the Mwaghavul Ethnic Group in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

The face is the most striking feature which distinguishes an individual. Human body dimensions are affected by ecological, biological, geographical, racial, gender, age and nutritional factors. Anthropometrics vary from tribe to tribe, and from race to race and, also differs amongst different age groups and between the two sexes of a given population. The aim of the study was to determine the facial morphometry of the Mwaghavul ethnic group of Plateau State, Nigeria. The objectives were to determine facial dimensions, facial index and facial types of Mwaghavul ethnic group. Four hundred and five (405) participants (231, males; 174, females) aged 18-30 years were involved in this study. The study was carried out on Mwaghavul students of College of Education Gindiri, Mangu LGA of Plateau State in Nigeria. The photographic setup consisted of a tripod stand and digital camera. The participants were positioned at a distance of 120 cm from the camera. The camera was raised to the ear level of the participants to provide good quality of image and to prevent distortion of the face. The photographs were captured at a standard resolution of 12.1 megapixels. A digital vernier caliper was then used to measure the facial linear dimensions. The photographic records were analysed using a bioanalyser (version 6). The program was customized with the landmarks used in this study. Facial width higher in females than in males (p=0.047) while facial and lower facial indices were higher in males than in females (p<0.001) respectively. The facial type of Mwaghavul ethnic group was found to be dominantly hyperleptoprosopic in both sexes. These variations were possibly due to age, inter- and intra-ethnic, nutritional, socio-economic, genetic, gender, racial and climatic factors