Comparative study of the digit ratio and hand pattern of the Ogoni and Ikwerre ethnic groups in Rivers state, Nigeria

Background: This study compares the hand patterns and ۲D:۴D digit ratios (index finger length divided by ring finger length) of the Ikwerre and Ogoni ethnic groups in Rivers State, Nigeria, documenting their finger measurements and prevalence of specific hand characteristics. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, ۱,۹۲۵ participants, ranging in age from ۱۵ to ۶۰, were gathered through a straightforward random sampling method. Their index finger (۲D) and ring finger (۴D) lengths were measured from the basal crease to the tip using a Digital Vernier Caliper. The ۲D:۴D ratios were then calculated for each subject on both hands. Based on the digit ratios, the overall hand patterns were evaluated, categorized as A, B, and C types, and then examined. IBM SPSS version ۲۴.۰ was employed for the data analysis. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value <۰.۰۵ and a ۹۵% confidence level. Results: The findings showed that the digit ratios of male and female Ikwerre subjects were ۰.۹۵±۰.۰۴ and ۰.۹۶±۰.۰۵, ۰.۹۷±۰.۰۸ and ۰.۹۸±۰.۰۵, respectively. The digit ratios for Ogoni males and females were ۰.۹۵±۰.۰۵ and ۰.۹۶±۰.۰۵, ۰.۹۷±۰.۰۵ and ۰.۹۷±۰.۰۵, respectively. Moreover, hand pattern A (۲D˂۴D) showed a higher prevalence in both genders in both ethnic groups. Right hand (۸۲.۱% for Ikwerre and ۸۰.۵% for Ogoni) and left hand (۷۴.۵% for Ikwerre and ۷۷.۴% for Ogoni), followed by pattern C (۲D˃۴D), right hand (۱۷.۵% for Ikwerre and ۱۹.۴% for Ogoni), and left hand (۲۴.۸% for Ikwerre and ۲۲.۳% for Ogoni). The least prevalent hand pattern was type B (۲D=۴D) for both genders across the ethnic groups. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that both Ikwerre and Ogoni groups have similar digit ratios, with hand pattern A being the most common, pattern C less common, and pattern B rare, showing consistent hand characteristics between the two ethnicities.

کلیدواژه ها:

Digit ratios ، Hand pattern ، Ikwerre ، Ogoni ، Rivers state