Variations in Sex and Laterality in the Ossification Process of the Proximal Epiphyseal Plate of Humerus among People Aged Between 14-25 Years in Western Kenya

Radiological examination of the shoulder joint is a method used to determine age by analyzing the skeletal changes that occur in the joint with aging. This study investigates the effectiveness of this technique in estimating age within the population of western Kenya. The study focused on examining variations in sex and laterality in the ossification process of the proximal epiphyseal plate of the humerus among individuals aged 14 to 25 years in western Kenya. The study was conducted in western Kenya, with data sourced from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), located in Kisumu city along the Kisumu-Kakamega Road. A retrospective cross-sectional research design was utilized, targeting 864 chest radiographs of individuals aged 14 to 25 years taken within the past year. A sample size of 273 chest X-rays was estimated, and data were obtained through purposive sampling. A data collection form was designed and employed to gather information. The collected data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, with the findings presented through tables, charts, and graphs. Most females (29.8%) achieve complete fusion of the proximal epiphyseal plates at 16-17 years, while males (25.4%) reach it at 18-19 years. Partial fusion and non-fusion are observed at 14-15 years. Females fuse earlier than males, correlating closely with age and stages of ossification. This variation aligns with biological differences in skeletal maturation