Estimation of Stature from Lower Limb Anthropometry Measurements among 18-25 years in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Abstract Background: One of the most crucial characteristics used to identify a person is stature. Forensic scientists will be better able to estimate height from the remains of body parts in forensic investigations and Stature estimation in forensic anthropological and medico-legal investigations has provided extensive information for human identification mainly since the 20th century. Stature can be estimated using either anatomical measurements or mathematical techniques. Stature is estimated based on lower limbs using the mathematical method to produce population-specific formula, especially from the tibia due to fact that it is the longest bones of the human body and contribute directly to stature may clarify this close association. Currently many countries developed population-specific standards for estimating stature. Since these population specific standards (linear regression equations) may not hold true for all population group. Objective: To develop a formula that predicts height from tibial length, BMW and foot for Ethiopian adults and assess its agreement with measured height. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional, prospective study was carried out among 300 college students in Addis Ababa from December 1 to December 31/2023 G. simple random sampling method was used to select the study participants. Anthropometric measurement including height, tibia length, foot length and bimalleolar width were measured. The data were entered, coded and analyzed using SPSS for windows version 23. And Simple linear regression models were generated for estimation of height from, tibia length, foot length and bimalleolar width parameters. Result: A total of 300 subjects (150 subjects in each sex) were used. The mean height of study participants was 170.42 ± 4.99 cm for males and 158.75 ± 5.81 for females and 164.59 ± 7.96 cm in combined sexes participants. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient between height and all anatomical anthropometric measurements were tibial length (males R=0.728, Females R=0.624), Bimalleolar width (males R=0.460, Females R=0.488) and foot length (males R=0.533, Females R=0.744) and all anatomical anthropometric measurements for both male and female participant showed positive and statistically significant R-value with height with p-value < 0.05. Conclusion: Stature predicted from tibial length, bimalleolar width and foot length are a valid indicator of height. Out of these tibial length and foot length, for males and females respectively, were appeared to be best estimator of stature by using both RE and R2. Key Words: Stature, tibial length, foot length, bimalleolar width, estimation, linear regression equation.