Radiologic Study of Ischiopubic Index of Urhobos and Itsekiris of Nigeria

Abstract

The study was designed to determine and compare the pubic length, ischial length and ischiopubic indices amongst Urhobos and Itsekiris. The parameters were measured from radiographs obtained from the Radiology department of Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara and Capitol Hill Clinic, Warri both in Delta State, Nigeria. Anteroposterior radiographs of 93 adult pelvis (age range, 18 years and above) were evaluated. 66 of the radiographs were those of Urhobos (36 males and 30 females), while 27 were those of Itsekiris (13 males and 14 females). The morphological measurements were the pubic length, ischial length and ischiopubic index. The mean values for pubic length, ischial length and ischiopubic index for Urhobo males were 78.51±12.4mm, 85.58±11.6mm and 91.66±5.86 respectively while those of their females was 92.39±7.08mm, 81.97±12.00mm and 114.93±18.14 respectively. The mean values for pubic length, ischial length and ischiopubic index for Itsekiri males were 82.20±10.62mm, 83.84±10.82mm and 98.40±9.37 respectively while those of their females was 92.05±6.36mm, 85.03±14.59mm and 111.03±18.37 respectively. There were significant data for male and female pubic length and ischiopubic indices both in Urhobos and Itsekiris. The demarking point of ischiopubic index was more useful in sex determination assigning sex to 78.6% Itsekiri females (p<0, 05). The accurate determination of sex and race are important tools to forensic scientists and physical and clinical anthropologists. Thus, this study is important as it has provided the necessary data for Nigerian population under investigation. The data is recommended to obstetricians, physical and clinical anthropologist and forensic scientists.