**7.4. Study procedures**

On the day of inclusion, demographic and clinical information were recorded, and a thick/thin blood film and the four rapid tests (Vistapan, Carestart, Parabank , and Paracheck-Pf) were performed. Women with positive pregnancy test and hyperparasitemic patients (P. falciparum›250,000 parasites/µl) were given quinine and excluded from further follow up. All other patients with positive blood film received an artemether-lumefantrine( Coartem®, Norvatis Pharma AG,Bassel,Switzerland), six –dose regimen under directly observed therapy. This treatment modality have been shown to be very efficacious with a prompt reversion to a negative [16] blood film after treatment. Patients receiving Coartem were asked to return to the Clinic on the third, seventh and 14th day after inclusion to repeat the blood film and all RDTs
