HAIR MORPHOLOGY STUDIES AMONG POPULATION IN AKWA IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY, IKOT AKPADEN, MKPAT ENIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA.

The morphology of human hair encompasses the physical characteristics and structure of hair fibres as the physical characteristics of human hair are directly influenced by its morphology. This project aims to investigate the diversity in hair morphology among different populations and ethnicities. The project will involve collection of hair samples from a diverse range of individuals, representing different ethnic backgrounds - Ibibio, Annang, Yoruba and Igbo. This involved detailed microscopic examinations to gain a comprehensive understanding of hair structure and properties by casting using a nail polish as a casting medium. The polish was brush at the centre of the glass slide, the hair was place in the wet polish and it was left to dry for ten minutes and the hair was carefully removed with a forceps and it was then placed under the microscope using a low objective to view, at first, then at high objective lens. The Ibibio tribe is the most represented among student in Akwa Ibom State University with and the most common hair type is straight with the total number of thirty-five individual, twenty individual with wavy hair and twelve with curly hair. The Annang tribe have six individuals with straight hair, two with wavy hair and four with curly hair. The Yoruba tribe have two individuals with straight hair, three with wavy hair and six with curly hair while the Igbo tribes have two individuals with straight hair, five with wavy hair and two individuals with curly hair. This means that individual from different tribe can have any appearance of hair. In conclusion, the hair morphology can be examined by its physical characteristics using a microscope to determine the different texture, shape and appearance of hair which can be used to know the population of Akwa Ibom State university student and their tribes.