Laboratory procedures
The clinical survey component included a finger-prick blood sample for a thick blood smear and for an RDT, measurement of hemoglobin, and preparation of filter paper blood samples for later analysis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). All specimens were barcoded and linked to their corresponding surveys. Thick and thin blood smears were prepared in the field for microscopy. At the laboratory the blood smears were stained with 2% Giemsa for 30 minutes and evaluated for the presence of asexual and sexual parasites (gametocytes). A thick blood smear was considered negative if examination of 100 high-power fields revealed no asexual parasites. For quality control, all slides were read by a second microscopist, and a third reviewer settled any discrepant readings. qPCR was performed on the filter-paper samples. Hemoglobin estimation was carried out on site using a battery-operated portable HemoCue analyzer (HemoCue, Anglom, Sweden). Rapid diagnostic testing was also conducted by the field team using lateral flow assay from SD-Bioline. Filter paper blood samples taken off and stored at 