Plasmodium falciparum parasite carriage by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The prevalence of P. falciparum infection by microscopy (dashed bars) and PCR (black bars) is given for individuals < 2 years (microscopy, N = 87/PCR, N = 24), 2–4 years (N = 122/N = 34), 5–9 years (N = 111/N = 33), 10–14 years (N = 108/N = 28), 15–24 years (N = 155/N = 61), 25–34 years (N = 124/N = 29), and ≥ 35 years (N = 144/N = 32). Error bars indicate the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval around the proportion. The dotted line indicates the proportion of infections that is below the microscopic threshold for detection.