Abstract
The aim of this study was to ascertain the influence of differences in age, job type and gender on distribution of interphalangeal hair of the Effiks in comparism to the Ibibios using 500 subjects comprising 250 Efiks and 250 Ibibios aged 18-40 years. With the aid of a hand lens, the pattern and frequency of hair distribution on the proximal, middle and distal phalanges were examined. Proximal phalangeal hair on the hand was absent in 40 (16%) Efiks and 35 (14%) Ibibios while, hair on the toes was absent in 35 (14%) Efiks and 55 (22%) Ibibios. The highest frequency hair distribution on the hands of the Efiks was 28% on finger pattern 2-3-4 of proximal phalanges while the least was found in finger patterns 1-2, 1-2-3-4, 2-3-5, 2-4-5 and 4-5, having 2% each. For the toes, the highest frequency hair distribution was 26% on toe pattern 1-2-3-4 while the least was 2% on toe patterns 1-3-4 and 1-4. The highest frequency hair distribution on the hands of the Ibibios was 30% on finger pattern 2-3-4 on proximal phalanges while the least was 2% in finger patterns 2-3, 3, 3-4-5 and 4-5. For their toes, the highest frequency hair distribution was 22% in toe pattern 1-2-3-4-5 and least frequent in toe patterns 1-2, 2, 2-3 and 3 with 2% each. Middle phalangeal hair was present in only one subject (a male Ibibio) of the entire population. Hair was absent on the distal phalanges. Age was not a factor in the distribution but individual's sex and job type had effect on hair distribution on the phalanges.
Highlights
Each hair grows from hair follicle as a soft substance that hardens as it arises up and out into the hair shaft
In man the distribution and form varies from one part of the body to another. It is densely concentrated in the scalp, sparse in the limbs and absent in the sole of foot, palm of hand and buccal surface of the lips
On the other hand Efik is one of the three major ethnic groups found in Cross Rivers State
Summary
Hair is a derivative of the epidermis and assists in thermoregulation; it provides some protection against injury (Harrison and Davies, 1999) It transmits sensory information and is a huge part of our general appearance. On the other hand Efik is one of the three major ethnic groups found in Cross Rivers State (with the other two being Bekwarra and Ejagham). It lies between latitudes 5°32' and 4°27' North, 7°50' and 9°28' East, situated in the tropical rainforest belt. In this study the variations in hair distribution pattern is examined to determine whether the variations due to sex, age and job types is significant and observe the difference in both ethnic groups. Same is applied to the toes beginning from the big toe
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