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Article History

Received: 21 April 2025

Accepted: 1 July 2025

First Online: 8 July 2025

Declarations

:

: Ethical approval for this study was granted by the Mulungushi University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Research Committee Board (IRB: 00012281, FWA: 0002888; Reference No. SMHS-MU2-2024–208). Written informed consent and assent were obtained from all participants after explaining the study procedures. Participants were informed of the minimal risks involved, primarily slight pain or irritation from the needle prick during specimen collection. Participants who tested positive for asymptomatic infection by rapid diagnostic test were treated in accordance with the national malaria treatment guidelines, provided they had no history of antimalarial treatment in the past 14 days. To maintain confidentiality, all patient information was anonymized, and data were encrypted within the collection and analysis tools. Access to the data was strictly limited to the study authors through password-protected systems, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or disclosure.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.