Mbiko Nchito

TL;DR: Non-iron supplementation reduced the prevalence of geophagy more than iron supplementation did, but this was not confirmed in the multiple logistic regression analysis, and iron supplementation had no effects on geophageous behaviour.

TL;DR: It is concluded that gastro-intestinal protozoal infections are highly prevalent among children attending pre-school in peri-urban Zambia highlighting the need for further studies of risk factors.

TL;DR: The findings indicate that intestinal parasites are prevalent in children enrolled in pre-schools in Zambia, and future studies should explore local factors associated with transmission of these infections, and consequently provide the necessary health education to parents and teachers.

TL;DR: Elevated intestinal permeability, measured as an increased lactulose:mannitol (L:M) ratio, indicates injury of the small intestinal mucosa, which could be one of the mechanisms explaining the negative effects of medicinal iron supplementation on morbidity found in some other studies.

TL;DR: Iron appears to affect reinfection intensity with A. lumbricoides, but further investigations are required to confirm this effect and elucidate the mechanisms involved.