Implications for practice and research

• Simple, straightforward hygiene interventions can prevent parasitic infection/reinfection and anaemia among children in countries with limited resources.

• Although hand hygiene efficacy was demonstrated, further research is required about the effectiveness of hand hygiene interventions in a less controlled setting must still be assessed.

Context

Previous studies have highlighted the association between basic hygiene and childhood infections in developing countries,1 but no previous randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have focused on parasitic infections. Mahmud and colleagues sought to assess the impact of handwashing with soap and water and weekly nail trimming on infection or reinfection with protozoan or helminthic diseases. The secondary measure was anaemia, which is often an effect of these infections.