Height Estimation using Arm Span as a Proxy among Ghanaians

Abstract

Height is an important anthropometric tool and most popular characteristic parameter employed in human identification. However, body height cannot always be ascertained by direct measurement due to various deformities of the extremities in patients with injuries. There is accumulating evidence to demonstrate the use of arm span measurements in the estimation of height but there is very little information on the use of arm span measurements in Ghana. Therefore, this study sought to determine the relationship between height, arm span and sex as well as the correlational efficiency of using arm span as a surrogate for height. This cross-sectional study recruited 716 participants [328 males and 388 females] aged 18 to 30 years. Ethical approval and informed participant consent were sought. Male participants were taller and had wider arm span than the females with a statistically significant value [p < 0.001]. The results also showed that, the mean arm span measurement was higher than the mean height measurement with values of males [arm span: 180.57 cm; height: 170.79 cm] and females [arm span: 168.60 cm; height: 161.19 cm]. There was a statistically significant strong positive correlation [p < 0.001] between the arm span and height in the male, female and pooled sample with “r” values of 0.815, 0.788 and 0.873 respectively. Sex-specific equations to predict height from arm span measurements among Ghanaians were established. This study has developed sex specific equations to predict height from arm span measurements and has proved that arm span can effectively predict height using regression equations. KEY WORDS: Height, Arm Span, Ghana, Identification, Forensic, Anthropometry.