A Study of the Nasal Index of Berom Students in Plateau State Polytechnic, Jos

Abstract

Introduction: The nasal index is a very important anthropometric assessment parameter for forensic anthropology and facial surgeries. This study was, therefore, aimed at determining the mean nasal index and its sexual dimorphism among the Berom ethnic group of Plateau State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: For this study, 500 subjects comprising 250 males and 250 females with ages from 18 years to 45 years were recruited. Informed consent was obtained. Nasal height was measured with a sliding Vernier caliper while the nasal width was measured with a transparent graded meter rule. The nasal index was then calculated as the ratio of nasal width and nasal height multiplied by 100. The data was subjected to statistical analysis using the software package Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 17.0. Results: The mean nasal index was found to be 93.09 ± 4.92 and the study also revealed statistically significant (P < 0.05) higher nasal index in males than in females of 93.66 ± 4.40 and 92.52 ± 5.34, respectively. Conclusion: The Berom ethnic group falls under the platyrrhine (broad nose) type that is the typical African nose type and have significant difference in male and female nasal index.