Facial Analysis of the Igbo Ethnic Group of Nigeria for the Evaluation of Sexual Dimorphism

Background: Facial analysis defines the measurement of soft tissue in the face used in forensics, anthropology, artistic design, and facial reconstruction. The study aims to evaluate the sexual differences in facial parameters among the Igbo ethnic group of Nigeria.

Methods: 400 (200 males and 200 females) subjects of Igbo origin volunteered for the study. Each subject's frontal view photographs were taken in the Natural Head Position (NHP) and analyzed using Pro-Image Facial Software Version 2 to evaluate the nasal width, nasal height, mouth width, facial width, facial height, inner canthal distance, and outer canthal distance. Data obtained were analyzed with IBM SPSS (version 23) and independent T-test as an inferential statistic.

Results: The result showed that NW was (M=5.16±0.65, F=5.34±0.53, t=-2.91, p=0.00), NH was (M=5.61±0.62, F=5.26±0.57, t=5.92, p=0.00), MW was (M=6.64±0.7, F=6.54±0.71, t=1.46, p=0.14), FW was (M=16.17±1.31, F=15.07±2.04, t=6.39, p=0.00), FH was (M=16.63±1.11, F=16.08±1.31, t=4.36, p=0.00), En was (M=4.62±0.46, F=4.31±0.47, t=6.75, p=0.00) and Ex was (M=12.23±0.86, F=12.16±1.01, t=0.82, p=0.41).

Conclusion: The nasal width and Height, facial width and height, and inner canthal distance show gender differences among the Igbo ethnic group of Nigeria. This study will have a practical application in Forensics, Anthropology, Artistic and Industrial design, and to medical professionals involved in facial reconstruction.