DETERMINATION OF SECOND AND FOURTH DIGIT LENGTHS AND RATIOS AMONG STUDENTS OF SA’ADU ZUNGUR UNIVERSITY, BAUCHI STATE
Abstract
This study investigated the determination of second (2D) and fourth digit (4D) lengths and their ratios (2D:4D) among undergraduate students of Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi State. The research adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design and involved 50 participants (25 males and 25 females), selected using stratified random sampling. Measurements of the 2D and 4D digits were obtained using a digital caliper, and the 2D:4D ratio was computed. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including independent sample t-tests, correlation, and regression analyses, were employed in data analysis.
The results revealed that the mean 2D length was 69.14 ± 5.77 mm, while the 4D length averaged 73.21 ± 6.15 mm. The mean 2D:4D ratio was 0.95 ± 0.04. Male participants recorded significantly longer 2D and 4D lengths than females (p < 0.001), although the 2D:4D ratio difference between sexes was not statistically significant (p = 0.124). Correlation analysis showed strong positive associations between 2D and 4D lengths within each sex, but digit ratios demonstrated weaker associations with digit lengths. Regression analysis indicated that the 4D length strongly predicted 2D length in both sexes, while digit ratios were less reliably predicted.
The findings suggest that while digit lengths are sexually dimorphic among Sa’adu Zungur University students, the 2D:4D ratio does not significantly differ between sexes in this population. The results provide baseline anthropometric data for Northern Nigerian students and contribute to broader research on sexual dimorphism and developmental biology.
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