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

statistically significant positive relationship, the study of Minoo et al. (2019) established a statistically significant positive relationship. Table 3: Correlation between Relative Humidity and Reported Cases of Malaria Variables Mean Relative Humidity Reported Cases of Malaria Mean Relative Humidity Pearson Correlation Sig. (1-tailed) N 1 16 0.274 0.152 16 Reported Cases of Malaria Pearson Correlation Sig. (1-tailed) N 0.274 0.152 16 1 16 Source: Author’s computation, 2021. Increase in relative humidity is related to increase in malaria. The result is probably the fact that, humidity in this area is high enough to influence malaria all year round. Because, high humidity will increase the mosquito’s life-span and help the parasite complete its life cycle and transmit the infection. (Akinbobola & Omotosho, 2013). j) Relationship between Rainfall and Malaria Table 4 depicts the relationship between mean rainfall and reported cases of malaria in the study area. For the result extract, the Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient was arrived at 0.274 . The value of the correlation coefficient by interpretation implies that there is a weak positive relationship between mean rainfall and reported cases of malaria in the study area. More so, this weak positive relationship was not statistically significant, as indicated by the p -value (significant value) 0.153 > 0.05. This positive relationship agrees with the study of Minoo et al. (2019). However, while the current study established a non-statistically significant positive relationship, the study of Minoo et al. (2019) established a statistically significant positive relationship. Table 4: Correlation between rainfall Temperature and Reported Cases of Malaria Variables Mean Relative Humidity Reported Cases of Malaria Mean Rainfall Pearson Correlation Sig. (1-tailed) N 1 16 0.274 0.153 16 Reported Cases of Malaria Pearson Correlation Sig. (1-tailed) N 0.274 0.153 16 1 16 Source: Author’s computation, 2021. This study showed an unexpected and complex relation between rainfall and malaria incidence, probably connected to understated reason; studies revealed that, the time and location of precipitation plays an important role in disease (malaria) transmission. Such that, if precipitation occurs before the anopheles’ reproductive season, rivers and water streams can become places for mosquito breeding, but if rainfall occurs during the reproductive season of mosquito, it will wash the breeding sites and reduce malaria transmission (Juri, Zaidenberg, Claps, Santana, & Almiron, 2009). Probably resulted to this outcome. k) Relationship between Maximum Temperature and Asthma Table 5 depicts the relationship between mean maximum temperature and reported cases of asthma in the study area. For the result extract, the Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient was arrived at - 0.403 . The value of the correlation coefficient by interpretation implies that there is a weak negative relationship between mean maximum temperature and reported cases of asthma in the study area. More so, this weak positive relationship was not statistically significant, as indicated by the p -value (significant value) 0.061 > 0.05. Relationship between Climatic Variables and Incidence of Malaria and Asthma in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria © 2021 Global Journals 1 Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Volume XXI Issue VI Year 2021 64 ( H ) Version I