ABSTRACT
To develop the models based on field data, a population-based prospective cohort study was conducted. A cohort of 867 children aged between 6 and 59 months were recruited through random selection of their households from three villages (Goni, Cissé and Kodougou) and Nouna town. These children were followed for 12 months (01.12.2003-30.11.2004) over one dry and one rainy season for active parasite detection. The longitudinal study started and ended with a cross-sectional survey. In addition, we prospectively assessed exposure variables such as land cover, meteorological factors (temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity) and mosquito biting variable by field-based data collection and satellite imagery. A detailed description of each survey is given in the following section.
