Citation: Joy Ochai, John Nwolim Paul, Henry Ajulor Amadi-Ikpa, Chioma Akunnaya Ohanenye, Hebinuchi Amadi, Monday Didia, Confidence W. Ihua (2023). The Distribution of Mid-Digital Hair among the Idoma People of Benue State, Nigeria. Saudi J Biomed Res, 8(3): 32-36. 32 Saudi Journal of Biomedical Research Abbreviated Key Title: Saudi J Biomed Res ISSN 2518-3214 (Print) |ISSN 2518-3222 (Online) Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Journal homepage: https://saudijournals.com Original Research Article The Distribution of Mid-Digital Hair among the Idoma People of Benue State, Nigeria Joy Ochai 1 , John Nwolim Paul 2* , Henry Ajulor Amadi-Ikpa 2 , Chioma Akunnaya Ohanenye 3 , Hebinuchi Amadi 2 , Monday Didia 2 , Confidence W. Ihua 4 1 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria 2 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Nkpolu- Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria 3 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Rhema University, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria 4 Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, David Umahi University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria DOI: 10.36348/sjbr.2023.v08i03.003 | Received: 08.02.2023 | Accepted: 14.03.2023 | Published: 18.03.2023 *Corresponding author: John Nwolim Paul Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Nkpolu- Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria Abstract Introduction: Hair has accompanied human development since the ancient time as a symbol of power, dominance, and strength. It has been perceived as a thing of beauty and a tool for sexual communication. Over the years, anthropologists have studied the body hair distribution particularly phalangeal hair; this is because it shows variation in relation to race, nationality and ethnic groups. Clinicians have also shown great interest in the study of bodily hairs due to its many useful biological functions, including dispersion of sweat gland products. There are few reports of distribution of mid-digital hair among some tribes in Nigeria but there is paucity of data among the Idoma tribe of Benue State. Hence, this study aimed to investigate and document the frequency of distribution of mid-digital hair among Idoma tribe of Benue State. Method: The study was community-based, descriptive, and cross-sectional with a sample size of 401. Data was collected using a closed-ended questionnaire that was administered by an interviewer following an examination of the mid-digital hair. Result: mid- digital hairs was present in 113 (28.2%) of the participants and absent in 288(71.8%) of the participants. The only significant socio-demographic characteristics among participants were the educational level with 7.754(0.051). Conclusion: The study indicated that less than one-third of the participants had mid-digital hair. Furthermore, the mid-digital hair distribution was sexually dimorphic, as it was more prevalent among the males than the females (ratio of 8: 6). The reason for the higher distribution in the males than females could be attributed to the hormonal difference in both genders. Keywords: Hair distribution, mid-digital hair, Idoma, Nigeria. Copyright © 2023 The Author(s): This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium for non-commercial use provided the original author and source are credited. INTRODUCTION Hair is an elongated keratinized structure that originates from the invagination of epidermal epithelium [1]. It is found basically everywhere in the human body with exception of the soles, palm, lips, glans, penis and parts of the vagina. The hair is a special and cherished feature in humans especially in females. Beyond its aesthetic values, it serves the biological function of thermoregulation, protection of the body from mechanical injury, forensic investigation, sensory reception and plays various subtle roles in social communication [1, 2]. The hair colour, size, and disposition vary according to race, age, sex, and region of the body [1]. The study of hair distribution has attracted the interest of anthropologist for ages, in particular, is the study of phalangeal hair in relation to gender, ethnicity and race [3, 4]. Various studies on human subjects have shown that the distal phalanges have almost no hair; the proximal ones almost always have hair whereas hairs can occasionally be present on the middle phalanx of the fingers. Distribution of hair on the phalanges may be influenced by certain factors such as gene and environment [5]. The presence of hairs on greater