Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, H: Environment & Earth Science, Volume 21 Issue 6

Source: Author’s computation, 2021. Fig. 4: Trend chart of mean relative humidity in the study area The variations and increased relative humidity over the years could reflect the climate change phenomenon (Cooney C.M, 2011). Hence, it’s a natural phenomenon itself. Also, declination of rainfall reduces moisture content in the air aggravating asthmatic condition. b) Incidence of Malaria and Asthma i. Malaria Treated and Reported Cases The trend chart depicted in Figure 5 revealed the trend of reported cases of malaria in the study area, as well as treated cases between the year 2003 and 2018 vis-à-vis the variation between reported cases and treated cases. From the trend chart, it can be observed that there is an upward movement in the trend plot between the year 2003 and 2006, implying and increasing trend in malaria cases reported and treated. Specifically, the cases of malaria reported were; 31,605 in 2003, 39,802 in 2004, 45,101 in 2005, and 46,307 in 2006. Similarly, the cases of malaria treated during this period were; 21,034 cases in 2003, 27,103 cases in 2004, 33,171 cases in 2005, and 34,908 cases in the year 2006. The year 2007 recorded a decline the cases of malaria reported as well as treated cases of malaria in the study area. In this year malaria cases reported was 31,604, while patients (cases) treated of malaria was 21,444. The sharp movement of the trend plot of malaria cases reported in the year 2008 indicates a significant increase in the cases of malaria in the year. Reported cases consisted of 79,240 patients. Similarly, the sharp upward movement of the trend plot for treated cases of malaria in the study area signifies a significant increase in treated cases of malaria in the study area during the same year (2008). Treated cases of malaria during this year consisted of 54,147 patients. Though the trend plot of treated cases of malaria in the study area was upward significantly, it important to not that the movement no way near that of the upward movement of the trend plot of reported cases, thus implying a significant difference (25,093 cases) between reported cases of malaria and actual treated cases in the study area during the said year. More so, it is important to state that this period recorded the highest cases of malaria reported as well as treated cases of malaria in the study area. y = 1.905x - 3786. R² = 0.657 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Mean Relative Humidity Year(s) Mean Relative Humidity Linear (Mean Relative Humidity) Relationship between Climatic Variables and Incidence of Malaria and Asthma in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria 1 Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Volume XXI Issue VI Year 2021 59 ( H ) © 2021 Global Journals Version I