The aim of this paper is to analyse the semantics and morphological properties of the nicknames given to soccer players in Yanga and Simba football clubs in Tanzania. Data were collected from social media platforms such as Jamii forum, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. Additionally, online newspapers and TV channels, such as TBC and Azam TV, were consulted. Lastly, the study involved face-to-face interviews with a total of 28 participants including club fans, former club leaders and former soccer players with a diverse age range and gender. The study was guided by two theories: the theory ofnicknames and the lexical morphology theory. Generally, for the semantics of nicknames, the findings indicate that nicknames for both Yanga and Simba Football Clubs connote the following: nicknames relating to other popular soccer players, nicknames relating to behaviour/traits or playing styles of the players, nicknames relating to players’ physical character, nicknames relating to the origin of the players, nicknames relating to animal names and nicknames derived from mystical, military, security, and entertainment domains. Regarding the shapes of the nicknames of soccer players, compounding, associative constructions, acronyms, truncations, borrowing, and reduplication methods are notable linguistic methods employed in the creation of soccer players’ nicknames. The study recommends further research on a sociolinguistic analysis of sayings used by Yanga and Simba fans.
The relationship between hand anthropometry and stature has been a subject of interest in anthropometric studies, particularly in understanding biological profiles across different populations. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between bilateral hand and finger measurements and stature among Isoko undergraduate students at Southern Delta University, to develop tailored stature-prediction equations for this population. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed, involving 180 participants (90 males and 90 females) aged 18 to 25 years. Ethical approval was obtained, and data were collected on participants' biological profiles, including age and sex, as well as hand and finger lengths and stature, using standardized measurement techniques. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23.0, employing descriptive and inferential statistics, including t-tests and linear regression analyses. The study revealed that males had a mean stature of 173.32 cm, significantly higher than the female average of 162.80 cm. Additionally, males exhibited longer hand lengths (HL), with right (R-) and left (L-) hands averaging 20.21 cm and 19.93 cm, respectively, compared to females' averages of 19.20 cm and 19.05 cm. All index (IFL), middle (MFL), and ring (RFL) lengths significantly differed between sexes. For both males and females, regression equations for determining stature (S) using HL, IFL, MFL, and RFL were deduced and found to be statistically significant. Conclusively, the linear regression equations deduced provide a framework for estimating stature based on bilateral hand and finger measurements for both males and females in the Isoko population, thereby highlighting the importance of considering ethnic factors and bilaterality in anthropometric research.
Lower back pain (LBP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder and a leading cause of disability especially among middle-aged adults, as compounded by age-related anatomical changes, sedentary lifestyle, and increasing rates of central obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between waist anthropometric indices and perceived LBP among middle-aged adults in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted, and a total of 223 respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Standardized procedures were used to obtain Waist Circumference (WC), Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR), and Hip-to-Height Ratio (HHtR), while perceived LBP was assessed using a structured questionnaire and a Visual Analog Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and independent t-tests. The findings revealed a high prevalence of LBP (63.6%) among the study population. The mean Waist Circumference was 91.8 ± 11.6 cm, Waist-to-Height Ratio was 0.54 ± 0.06, and Hip-to-Height Ratio was 0.60 ± 0.05. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between Waist Circumference (r = 0.476), Waist-to-Height Ratio (r = 0.511), and Hip-to-Height Ratio (r = 0.228) with perceived LBP (p < 0.01). Gender differences were also observed, with females demonstrating significantly higher anthropometric measures and LBP scores. These findings underscore the anatomical and biomechanical relevance of waist anthropometry in musculoskeletal health. Waist-to-Height Ratio emerged as the most predictive index of LBP risk, suggesting its clinical value for early screening and intervention. The study recommends the integration of waist-based anthropometric assessments into primary healthcare screening programs and advocates for gender-sensitive strategies in the prevention and management of lower back pain among Nigerian adults.
The rapid expansion of spa and massage centers in Nepalgunj, a key India–Nepal border town, has generated acute concern about their role in an emerging clandestine sex economy. This study examines how spa establishments in Nepalgunj operate as hybrid spaces that combine formally registered wellness businesses with covert sexual transactions, and how these arrangements are shaped by cross-border mobility, gendered labor markets, and structural risk environments. Drawing on qualitative fieldwork conducted between January and March 2025, the study is based on field observations in 50 spas, semi-structured interviews with 50 workers and 20 owners/managers, and thematic analysis of narratives. Findings reveal that spa centers in Nepalgunj overwhelmingly function as fronts for sexual services. Workers, predominantly young girls aged 16–26, reported that sexual services were routinely offered in 92% of establishments, at standardized price points that generated estimated daily revenues of NPR 30,000–60,000 per spa. Approximately 90% of clients were Indian nationals, reflecting how the open Indo–Nepal border, combined with restrictive sexual norms and stigma in India, displaces demand for paid sex into Nepali border towns. While workers’ monthly earnings (NPR 25,000–50,000) exceed local female wage norms, these economic gains are offset by exploitative labor practices, the presence of self-reported minors, limited negotiating power over condom use, exposure to violence, and intense stigma. The analysis situates spa-based sex work within four lenses: informal economy, borderland governance, gendered labor regimes, and public health risk environment. It argues spa centers are a red-light economy embedded in informal illicit cross-border markets. Policy implications include regulatory reforms targeting exploitation not workers, protecting minors, tailored health interventions for hidden venues, cross-border health and anti-trafficking collaboration, and alternative livelihoods for young women. Without these, Nepalgunj risks becoming a hub for hidden sex work as wellness services, affecting gender justice and public health.
Palmar crease patterns have long been studied for their potential applications in identifying biological and demographic characteristics. This study investigates the use of palmar crease patterns as an index of sexual dimorphism and handedness among students of Ambrose Alli University. The objectives included analyzing the differences in palmar crease types (normal, simian, and Sydney) between sexes, exploring the relationship between handedness and crease patterns, and examining correlations with ethnicity. A total of 392 participants, comprising 33.2% males and 66.8% females, were included in the study. Data were collected through observation of palmar creases on both hands and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including Chi-square tests and logistic regression models. The results showed that normal creases were the most prevalent (92.6%) in both males and females, with no significant differences between sexes (p = 0.821). A marginal association was observed between handedness and crease patterns among ambidextrous individuals (p = 0.054), though this did not meet the threshold for statistical significance. Similarly, no significant correlation was found between ethnicity and palmar crease patterns (p = 0.369). Logistic regression analysis confirmed that palmar crease patterns do not reliably predict sex, with odds ratios close to 1 and p-values above 0.05. These findings suggest that while palmar crease patterns are consistent across sexes and ethnic groups, their utility as standalone indices for sex determination or demographic profiling is limited. The study highlights the need for further research into other factors influencing palmar crease development and their potential applications in forensic science and medical diagnostics.
