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Angular Photogrammetric Facial Analysis of Adults in Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State

Facial analysis plays a vital role in anthropometry, clinical practice, forensic identification, and aesthetic evaluation. This study aimed to determine the angular facial characteristics of adults in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria, using photogrammetric analysis, and to assess the presence of sexual dimorphism. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was adopted, involving 140 participants comprising 70 males and 70 females aged between 18 and 45 years. Standardized facial photographs were obtained using a digital camera under controlled conditions, with subjects positioned in the Frankfurt horizontal plane. Relevant demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Five facial angles; nasofrontal, nasolabial, nasofacial, nasomental, and mentocervical, were measured using image analysis software. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and a Z-test was employed to compare differences between sexes at a significance level of p < 0.05. The results revealed that females had significantly higher mean values of the nasofrontal and nasolabial angles compared to males (p < 0.05), while males exhibited a significantly higher mentocervical angle (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in the nasofacial and nasomental angles between sexes (p > 0.05). These findings indicate the presence of sexual dimorphism in specific angular facial parameters within the studied population. In conclusion, this study provides baseline facial angular data for the Njikoka population and highlights the effectiveness of photogrammetric analysis as a non-invasive and reliable method for facial assessment. The results have important implications for clinical, forensic, and anthropological applications.