ABSTRACT
The second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), is a sexually diamophic trait, with males on the average having lower ratios than females. 2D:4D is established in the uterus, therefore its found in fetus, children, and unaffected by puberty. It also appear to be universal across ethnic groups, and it exist in mammals and other primates. 2D:4D is positively associated with prenatal estrogen and negatively associated with prenatal testosterone. The present study is primarily aimed at investigating the existence of the association between digit ratio (2D:4D), with academic performance of secondary school students in Kaduna, Nigeria. A total of 462 students (239 males and 223 females) participated in the study from three secondary schools in Kaduna metropolis. Relevant data were collected through a self-administered questionares after which certain anthropometric measurements including digit length, weight, height and some circumferences which include head, neck, hip and waist. Academic performance of the students were measured from the terminal examinations results obtained from the schools managements. Our study found that low 2D:4D (a correlate of high prenatal testosterone and low prenatal oestrogen) is associated with better performance on Mathematics in males but not in females. There were no correlation between 2D:4D and academic performance, based on the three other subjects considered among the secondary school students in Kaduna, Nigeria. The study also agree with the literature that says 2D:4D ratio tend to be more on the right hand than the left hand. We therefore conclude that 2D:4D ratio is associated with better performance in Mathematics and numerical capability in boys.