Blood samples (5 mL each) were aseptically collected by venipuncture into EDTA tubes. For the identification of P. falciparum species, microscopy and Diaspot P.f rapid test (Detekt Biomedical) were used. For microscopy, thin and thick blood films were made from blood. Prior to staining, the thin films were fixed with absolute alcohol and both films were flooded with 10% Giemsa-staining solution and allowed to stain for 10 min. Slides were examined under 40× and 100× objectives for malaria parasite stages. The number of Plasmodium parasites per 100 white blood cells was recorded. In addition, the DiaSpot Malaria P. falciparum rapid test device complemented the detection and identification of P. falciparum antigen in whole blood. The volunteers were examined physically for the signs and symptoms of malaria and then recorded. In the course of screening for other infections, rapid antibody tests were carried out for HIV diagnosis, while the detection of microfilariae in the blood was through microscopy.