Explainer: What is a deep fake and how to spot it?

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Deepfake is an application of AI technology that can manipulate videos, images, and audio of real people. It has been used for hate speech and misinformation, as well as to impersonate people’s likenesses.

Writer: Ghai Aketch

Have you ever wondered when digital content looking authentic is flagged as fake? It is indeed possible with the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that is a sophisticated spread of disinformation and hate speech. 

Deepfake is, therefore a product of such advanced tech. It’s an application of sophisticated computer AI to manipulate videos, images or audio of real people. Its name is derived from Deep Learning, a type of AI system.  

The targeted images are altered by deep fake software to generate exact images of the person, and  synthetic character is produced. The output of the manipulated footage turns real people to say words they never spoke or act as the programmer wants. 

The deepfake videos were initially targeting celebrities to ‘feature’ in explicit clips. The explicit contents would sequentially promote clicks on the websites. 

The programmers download random pornographic videos and swap faces of prominent people with the video characters which to great extent looks original.

So, given the possibility to manipulate images of real people is worrying according to  researches when  political or religious leaders are targeted to ‘utter’ hate speech towards other groups. It has become a great source for hate speech and misinformation propagation. 

Although no reported clips of deepfake involving South Sudanese prominent figures, concerns should be placed on alertness on the dangers this technology could cause in the politically  fragile state should it happen. 

When used in a political setting, the image-altering emerging trends could cause detrimental cybersecurity and society threats according to Security Week.

The most recent example of a deepfake footage is of the US sitting president, Joe Biden. 

The footage in circulation was manipulated and appeared ridiculing transgender women, by allegedly saying, “you will never be a real woman.”

Interestingly, he had earlier supported transgender Americans before the footage emerged. It was hard though to distinguish it as fake. But with keen reference to past events can wake your curiosity. 

The United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs(UNODA)  in 2019 to 2021 held a series of multi-stakeholders sessions highlighting that  misuse of ICT may ‘harm international peace and security.’ 

But fast-advancing technology has eased this machine learning process. That’s to say anyone with a computer and internet access can, with ease, generate deepfake contents. 

Also, its emerging  user-friendly interface has made AI-altered products more available on the internet today. 

However, countering that, developers  have reverse engineered the deepfake processes. Several deepfake debunking softwares such as, DeepTrace, Microsoft Video Authenticator and DuckDuckGoose are countering spread of disinformation through digital content verification. 

As much as deepfake is useful in the entertainment industry, it’s largely digressing into real crimes and insecurity for states. 

How to detect deepfake

Emergence of new tech has made almost anything possible. But people tend to be baffled  while sifting genuine information from deepfakes.

Fortunately, you can, without using deepfake detecting tools, try to spot the following in a computer-doctored footage.

How to spot deep fake

Additionally, being critical enough of digitally-generated content can do you better to detect certain flaws in deepfakes considering  coherence of speeches, or previous  events. 

For example, the recent Joe Biden deepfake which allegedly ‘ridiculed’ transgender women. But look, previously he had signed sex-marriage bill into law, saying that Americans have rights to choose whom they want to marry. 

Moreover, in the US transgender policies are upheld in some states including Washington D.C, where the government sits. So, such sudden inconsistencies can give you clear  hints  that that particular footage is fake.

It has come a time you should not always believe what you see according to an analytical report on deepfake emergence.  

In South Sudan, impersonation of people’s likenesses has been through the commonly easy-to-use celebrity photos swapping Apps. However, it’s simple to spot that such images are inauthentic looking at the skin tone and image orientation.

In conclusion,  deepfakes will keep increasing and grow complex according to available publications. But you need to be curious as deepfakes disseminate disinformation via altered images of powerful and famous personalities. 

Blog: The need for disability-inclusive tools to combat online disinformation

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Despite many fact-checking tools, online journalism must embrace inclusion. This requires inclusive digital security training for digital news companies and accessible fact-checking tools.

Writer: Nancy Marangu

The evolution of social media platforms has changed the dichotomy in which information is received and disseminated over time.

As a platform enabler, the internet has given birth to digital, also known as online journalism, which allows everyone to share information quickly. Digital journalism, a modern form of reporting in which editorial content is distributed via the internet, is continuing to transform journalism.

While we appreciate the rapid distribution of content, we must remember that fake news and misinformation continue to affect everyone, mainly persons with disabilities (PWDs). As a result, interventions for PWDs are required so that they can benefit equally from objective and accurate information.

As a result, it is necessary to:

To begin, news organisations must ensure that inclusive media verification tools are accessible and usable by people with disabilities during content distribution. This is because news organisations and digital platforms play a significant role in news distribution control and managing digital journalism collaboratively. This implies that information distributors can be as creative as possible in providing messages in various forms, including speech, while maintaining accessible websites.

Second, NewsCheck is being integrated into the information distribution platform. NewsCheck uses blockchain technology to provide credible scoring on information posted on various social media platforms. This necessitates that news organisations develop accessibility applications that PWDs can easily use to identify disinformation and investigate mechanisms for correcting false information.

Third, while using institutionally accessible websites, news organisations can incorporate Adblock Plus, a browser extension and application that blocks advertisements and websites via filtering lists. The filtering list protects users from malicious and disinformation-spreading websites.

Finally, according to Rand Corporation, 2022, Bot Sentinel is a platform designed to detect and track troll bots and untrustworthy Twitter accounts. Bot Sentinel analyses Twitter accounts, classifies information as trustworthy or untrustworthy and identifies bots using machine learning and artificial intelligence. Developers use the data they collect to investigate the impact of bots and their propaganda on discourse, as well as ways to combat the spread of bots and the information they spread. Untrustworthy accounts must be classified manually. Hundreds of tweets and retweets are reviewed during the review process. They may label an account untrustworthy if it has many followers and a high percentage of misleading and/or factually incorrect tweets. However, it is essential to note that most digital journalists share information on their Twitter platforms. While information is distributed, it is unfortunate that the owners of the companies conduct little or no continuous research to determine the population segments that access information through their platforms.

In conclusion, while there are many more fact-checking tools available, the need for online journalism to incorporate inclusion is critical. Moving forward, this will necessitate more inclusive digital security training for digital news organisations and intentional innovation in information fact-checking tools accessible and usable by people with disabilities.


This blog article was published as part of an assignment for the Empowering Fact-checking in South Sudan (EFiSS) Training Program by 211 Check.

Fact-check:  Is the US Federal Reserve planning to purge old dollar notes in 2023? No, it’s false

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No publicly available announcement by any United States government agency claims the American government has decided to restrict the acceptance of old dollar notes printed below 2021

Writer:  Ochaya Jackson

US $ 100 notes

A claim shared widely among WhatsApp users that the United States government has planned to contain “any US dollar below the 2021 printed date” is false.

The move, which according to the claim, was reached on 2nd November 2022 in Washington DC, aims to get rid of the illegal billions of dollars stockpiled in the African continent originating from illicit activities relating to drugs, terrorism, kidnapping, and ill-gotten cash by politicians. 

And to enforce the decision, the central banks in Africa will be assigned officials from the United States Federal Reserve to monitor the inflows and outflows of dollar transactions.

“Sequel to the just concluded extraordinary meeting held in Washington DC on Nov. 2nd 2022 between the United States Federal Reserve Bank, Office of the Comptroller of Currency, IMF, World-Bank and Governors of Africa’s Central Banks, the United States Govt has set a date for restriction on the acceptable legal tender note of US Dollar which will commence on Jan. 31st 2023”, part of the message claim reads.

“The restriction implies that any US Dollar note below 2021 printed date will no longer be accepted or be a legal tender anywhere in the world… This effort is to curb billions of illegal monies in dollar bills warehoused around the African continent emanating from drug-related, terrorism, kidnapping and money from corrupt politicians”, the claim added.

The screenshot of the widely circulating claim on the WhatsApp

211 Check established that the claim appeared to have been doctored in other circumstances, like in Nigeria, especially when the central bank of Nigeria decided in October 2022 to redesign Naira. 

The false claim popped up and was forwarded widely in WhatsApp groups citing Reuters’ report that the United States was controlling the acceptance of dollars below 2021, which turned out to be false after PR Nigeria fact-checked it. 

No publicly available announcement by any United States government agency claims the American government has decided to restrict the acceptance of old dollar notes printed below 2021. 

However, the federal reserve only on 3rd November announced the pricing adjustment, which will be effective on 3rd January 2023; for payment services it provides to depository institutions like clearing of checks, ACH transactions, wholesale payment and settlement services, according to a press release posted on its website.

And the fact sheet from the US federal reserve website indicates that “all U.S. currency remains legal tender, regardless of when it was issued”.

Conclusion

The claim that the US government has planned to restrict the acceptance of old dollar notes printed below 2021 is false.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.

Fact-check: Did a Malawian man attempt to sneak into South Sudan by hanging on a plane’s wing from Malawi?

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No, the man was not a Malawian but a Nigerian in Lagos at the Murtala Muhammed International airport enroute to Port  Har-court.

Writer: Ghai Aketch

Earlier this week, a claim showing an image of a man hanging on plane’s wing published by Smart Family TV went viral  in South Sudan captioned as: 

“Malawian man was seen hanging on the wing of an aeroplane and said he wanted to travel abroad seeking a better life, the plane was from Malawi to Juba, South Sudan,” the post reads. 

Screenshot of the post on Facebook

However, our reverse image and keywords searches returned the same image of a Nigerian man who illegally accessed the runway and climbed on a plane’s wing when it was preparing for a take off at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on 19 July 2019. 

According to the Azman Airline, the pilot radioed the security after the authorised man was struggling to access the plane’s cabin, posing danger to the passengers on board. 

According to reports, he climbed on the plane’s wings after dropping his bag in the engine. Fortunately, a passenger on board was quick to capture the unexpected scene on 19 July 2019 that went viral. 

The man was later identified by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria as a Nigerian-born Usman Adamu while in police custody at that time.  

Conclusion:

The information purporting South Sudan and Malawi is false. The original publications clearly indicated the Azman Airline was enroute to Port Har-court. But not Juba, South Sudan.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.

Fact-check: Did South Sudanese fans destroy seats in the Juba National Stadium?

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The images showing broken chairs are those of Al-Hilal Stadium in Sudan during a match played between South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Writer: Ghai Aketch

Screenshot of the Facebook post

No, the CECAFA Under-20 match between South Sudan and Uganda wasn’t played in Juba, but in Sudan’s Al-Hilal Football Stadium at Omdurman on November 11, 2022. It ended without any misconduct. 

However, after the South Sudan and Uganda U-20 match ended 2:1 in favour of Uganda, misleading information went viral on social media claiming that the furious South Sudan fans destroyed the stadium’s seats in Juba after the 2:1 loss to the Ugandan Crane. This is false.

According to the football governing body, CECAFA, the seats were broken after the final whistle when South Sudan won by 4:2 penalty shoot-out against Ethiopia on November 8 at Al-Hilal Stadium, Sudan. But, out of excitement the spectators broke chairs, damaged the barriers and stormed the pitch.

Subsequently, the CECAFA disciplinary committee, after learning of the acts, fined South Sudan $1,000 US dollars and to also repair the damaged parts of the facility.

The Juba Nationality Stadium seats were not destroyed by the agitated spectators after the South Sudan national team Bright Stars’ U-20 2:1 loss to the Uganda Crane team. Moreover, the match was played in Khartoum, Sudan. 

Additionally, the Juba National Stadium is not yet inaugurated to host regional matches due to the ongoing construction.

Therefore, the images showing broken chairs are those of Al-Hilal Stadium in Sudan, where the match was played.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that South Sudanese football fans destroyed seats in the new Juba National Stadium after a home team loss to Uganda false.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.

Fact-check: Phishing link for the University of Chicago Scholarships

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Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A WhatsApp message with a link widely forwarded to individuals and groups about the University of Chicago’s fully funded scholarship offers for 2022 to study in the United States of America is false. 

The WhatsApp message has a phishing link that redirects to a one-page site with what looks like a basic “Scholarship Application Form”. 

Phishing is sending fake or fraudulent communications that appear to come from a reputable source to steal sensitive data like credit card and login information or install malware on the victim’s machine, according to Cisco technology company. 

“The American Scholarship is a yearly program which is aimed at Undergraduates, Masters and PhD Students who wants (sic) to study in the United States,” the WhatsApp message partly reads. 

Screenshot of the false WhatsApp message about the University of Chicago scholarship

The scholarship targets the age group of 14 to 50 years, and it covers full tuition fee, medical allowance, Covid-19, instant visa approval, permission to work and study, and hostel accommodation, according to the widely shared claim. 

Screenshot showing the header of the alleged University of Chicago’s scholarship site 

Phishing trick 

211 Check looks at the claim, and it appears to be a phishing tactic deployed by unknown malicious actors to get passwords, phone numbers, names, locations, and email addresses from people using a one-page form on the phishing website. 

After filling in the personal information, it directs to three objective questions where it asks what one’s employment status is, their marital status, their age range. Then after answering, a pop-up message appears informing the applicants of approval with string conditions first to invite fifteen friends or five groups on WhatsApp. 

“After checking your applications, You have been approved to study at the University of Chicago IN{UNITED STATES} for free–Your UNITED STATES SCHOLARSHIP VISA FORM will be available immediately after you click the “Invite Friends/Group” button below to share this information with 15 friends or five groups on WhatsApp so That They Can Also Aware of the SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMM,” it reads. 

“Note: If you do not complete this step correctly, The VISA FORM page will not load,” the pop-up message warns. 

The screenshot of the pop-up message after filling out the form 

What is there to know about the University of Chicago and its scholarship?

The University of Chicago was founded in 1890 as an urban research university and is a prestigious, recognised global university. It is the third-ranking best University college in the United States, after Michigan Institute of Technology and Stanford. 

211 Check established that fully funded University of Chicago scholarships exist for 2022-2023 for online applications. There are different categories of scholarships, including undergraduate scholarships, international financial aid, merit scholarships, graduate scholarships, fellowships, and research assistantships and teachings. 

The eligibility criteria for the scholarships range from 4.48-grade point average (GPA) or its equivalent in the grading system of the applicants’ country, minimum education of 14 years for the undergraduate, a 4-year bachelor’s degree for the master’s program, and a bachelor’s and master’s degree for a doctoral program among others. 

The admission procedure starts by selecting a course at the University of Chicago admission office, creating an online profile for admission applications, filling out the form with relevant information, attaching the required documents, and submitting the form. 

The benefits of the scholarship involve partial, discounted, or full waiver from tuition fee expenses, a voucher for food and book buying, monthly stipend allowance, residence expense funding or facility, travel grant funding or facility, and library access on campus. 

Comparative analysis:

There are mismatches between the circulated WhatsApp message and the scholarship information from the University of Chicago’s website.

The claim’s admission procedure is not solid, the message texts are full of grammatical errors, the webpage picture is doctored, and the condition of sharing the claim with more friends or groups on WhatsApp clearly shows it is not credible. 

211 Check also found out that the moment the link is clicked as it directs to the webpage, in the background, it downloads and installs malware into the devices or computers of the users. 

The whois information:

According to Whois, which can be used to investigate the registration information for a domain, the phishing link‘s domain was registered on August 30th, 2022.

A screenshot shows the registration of the phishing link’s domain

However, the Whois information for the University of Chicago’s domain indicates that the domain record was activated in 1991, last updated in July 2022, and expires in July 2024.

The screenshot of the whois’ information on University of Chicago website

In conclusion,

The viral message about the University of Chicago scholarship being widely shared on WhatsApp is false.

The University of Chicago’s website and scholarship programs are here.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.

Fact-check: Is MTN Uganda Offering 10 GB Free data to its subscribers for 24th Anniversary? No, it is false.

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MTN Uganda offers 24 free minutes of MTN to MTN calls to celebrate its 24th anniversary. The link circulating is malicious and doesn’t represent MTN

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino

On November 6, 2022, MTN Uganda celebrated 24 years of providing telecommunications services in Uganda. On the same day, a WhatsApp message began circulating with the untrue claim that MTN Uganda would provide 10 GB of free data to commemorate its 24th anniversary.

“MTN UGANDA At 24.  It feels good to be 24. We just want to celebrate with you, our dear customers. We are giving you 10GB free data to chat with everyone that is dear to you. Let’s celebrate our birthday together. Check Links Below to see if you qualify to get Free Data,” that WhatsApp message that has been doing the rounds reads in part.

Screenshot of the widely WhatsApp message

When you click on the links above, you will be taken to a one-page website titled: “We are 24. Happy Birthday to us. You’ve 10GB of Free Data Valid for 1 Month.” It then instructs users to press a “GET YOURS NOW” button, which prompts them to enter their phone number. You are eligible for the data regardless of how many times you click.

The one-page site users are directed to when they click on the links

Screenshot of an alleged verification process after entering phone number  

Screenshot of a prompt on the site asking people to send the information to 12 groups and friends on WhatsApp

But, is MTN Uganda offering 10 GB free data to celebrate its 24th anniversary? No and here is why?

211 Check finds out that MTN Uganda announced on twitter that they were offering 24 free minutes of MTN to MTN calls in celebration of its 24th anniversary.

‘’Thank you Uganda for being our home for 24 years. To celebrate all our loyal customers, we are giving you 24 free MTN to MTN minutes to talk to all your loved ones today. Senkyu for being on MTN,’ it announced on Twitter.

Some complains to MTN Uganda on Twitter:

Charles Amone @CharlesAmone2

‘’This is good, but there is also a link moving around for 10gbs data. And needed to be shared to 12 groups. MTN does not work like that. If it’s to be given to all, why must I share to groups and get it. I will buy data. Thanks for minutes though.’’

Dr. Nzanzu Joshua @NzanzuT

‘’MTN helps fraudsters to fraud Ugandans through a message they put up when a customer calls their helpline. These F.stars have sent a hodgepodge of links and are frauding us left right and center. MD hereby notified. Why not just send them to every active no?’’

MTN Uganda replies to the unverified claim of the free 10 GB data:

‘’Hello, we are sorry about that. Kindly ignore any information not sent through our main channels, from Twitter, Facebook, 0312120000 or Whatsapp 0772123100. Also report suspicious information for action,” MTN Uganda said.

Screenshot of MTN Uganda tweet reply.

The website impersonating the official MTN Uganda website can be found at blogspot.com, a free service provided by Google. The official MTN Uganda website can be found at https://www.mtn.co.ug/.

According to the whois record, the domain name of the malicious website was registered on December 11th, 2021, which is a little under a year ago.

A screenshot showing the Whois information for the fake site

Whois record for https://www.mtn.co.ug/ 

A screenshot showing the Whois information for MTN Uganda

Conclusion:

The claim that MTN is giving away 10 GB worth of free data as part of celebrating its 24 years in Uganda has been proven false by 211 Check. The links going around are not from MTN and are malicious.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.

Fact-check: Study finds that parabens hair relaxing products have side effects on African Women

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Several researchers have found out some evidence suggesting that heavy use of paraben-containing hair relaxers is linked to an increased risk of estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer.

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino

Reports that a study has found out that toxic chemicals used in hair products for black women can fuel breast cancer are true.

The new study was conducted by City of Hope, a cancer hospital and research center in Southern California, US and presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Atlanta — found hair care products mostly marketed to Black women contain parabens, a class of hormone-disrupting chemicals.

The study says that these chemicals not only raise women’s chances of getting breast cancer, but also disproportionately fuel the spread of cancer cells in Black women.

The study was widely reported on the internet as can be seen here, here and here.

Screenshot of the headline doing the rounds

What are parabens?

Parabens have been used as artificial preservatives in hair care and beauty products since the 1920s. Parabens can interfere with the normal function of hormones and cause skin irritation. 

The rapid spread of cancer cells in the parabens sulfates is more prevalent in black women.

Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Butylparaben, and Isobutylparaben are the most common parabens.

Breast cancer affects black women disproportionately. According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the demographic has a 41% higher death rate from breast cancer, and black women under 50 have twice the cancer mortality rate as white women.

What are doctors saying about the side effects of hair relaxing creams?

Lejju Benjamin Modi, a medical doctor in Juba explains to 211 Check in detail how beauty creams affect black women, “…and I found that there is some evidence to that effect. Like skin bleaching agents, most of these beauty chemicals contain a lot of cancer-causing agents, especially with prolonged/heavy use…’’

“Black/African American women’s hair relaxers, leave-in conditioners, and oils may contain estrogens or estrogen-disrupting compounds. As a result, their use may increase the risk of breast cancer. The findings of the few previous studies on this topic are contradictory. The Black Women’s Health Study, a nationwide prospective study of Black women, was used to examine the relationship between hair relaxer and leave-in conditioner use and breast cancer incidence. From 1997 to 2017, 2311 incident breast cancers occurred in 50,543 women.…,” a study published in May 2021 has this abstract

“Results of this study were largely null, but there was some evidence that heavy use of lye-containing hair relaxers may be associated with increased risk of ER+ breast cancer. Consistent results from several studies are needed before it can be concluded that use of certain hair relaxers impacts breast cancer development,” the study said.

Conclusion:

211 Check has looked into a research study on the side effects of beauty creams and found out that several researchers discovered some evidence suggesting that heavy use of paraben-containing hair relaxers is linked to an increased risk of estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer.

#FactsMatter, Don’t be a victim of fake news; instead, let’s fight misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media. To avoid spreading false information, don’t share content you’re unsure about or know where it comes from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim, and our team will immediately fact-check it and respond.

Fact-check: New care fertility syrup, a herb that claims to boost reproductive health, is unproven

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Infertility cannot be cured with natural remedies or herbs. So, before taking any natural supplements, consult your doctor and read about their potential side effects.

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino

NewCare Fertility Syrup Ltd asserts in Facebook posts that some natural herbs can improve reproductive health in both men and women, but these herbs have not been scientifically proven.

According to the label, the herb can treat the following reproductive issues: improves pregnancy chances, shrinks fibroids, regulates the menstrual cycle, balances hormones, improves egg quality in women, normal ovarian functions, and treats Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

The company says that the herbal medicine contains the following ingredients: aloe vera, lemon, eucalyptus, beetroots, hibiscus, honey, alkaline vegetable oil, and elephant grass.

NewCare Fertility Syrup Ltd, a Facebook page created on July 12, 2022, is followed by approximately 360 people on Facebook but regularly posts in sponsored advertisements about some natural herbs that can boost reproductive health. They claim that their herbs are always packaged in three litre containers with 30 pills for women and one-litre containers with 30 pills for men.

Screenshot of the alledged herbs

What do users of similar herbs use?

211 Check has interviewed a woman named Juan Mary Paul and this is what she said,’’I have tried these herbs but not from this company. I was diagnosed with fibroids and I decided to take some herbs and do exercise and stopped eating red meat.’’

She continued by saying ,’’Do not forget to prayer as you take what God created for us as medicine,he will for sure put his hands on it.’’ ‘’I also know that no Doctor will believe me ,because the herbs are not scientifically proven and sometimes I doubt the effectiveness of the herbs,’’ she added.

What do doctors in South Sudan say?

Odol George, a doctor at Juba Teaching Hospital in South Sudan’s capital Juba says these herbal treatments are just claims and that the ingredients need some studies. 

“These are just claims because what are the active ingredients that improve fertility?Is it for men or women?What are the areas of actioning the human body?A lot of questions before using the herbs,” Dr. Odol George warns.

Dr. Odol George, continues by saying that,’’Aloe vera and other plants are not active ingredients, these extracts of plants which need to be treated first and then put through thin layer chromatography which will tell these ingredients.”

Studies on herbs as a cure for infertility:

Gilbert Ross medical director of the American Council on Science and Health in New York says, “Many herbal preparations have been documented to contain estrogenic substances, which can have an impact on sex-hormone concentration and fertility in both males and females.”

211 Check finds out that Nidal Jaradat and Abdel Naser Zaid said in a study on the effects of herbal remedies used in the treatment of infertility in males and females that the herbs showed no signs of a positive impact on fertility in both men and women and also lacked evidence that they are clinically safe.

What can help you boost your fertility?

You don’t need many herbal remedies if you are trying to conceive naturally. All you need is a good diet plan, regular exercise, good sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking or drinking alcohol.

Conclusion:

Natural remedies or herbs can’t cure infertility. There are a lot of herbs that can make your infertility even worse. So before taking any natural supplements, talk to your doctor and read about their side effects.

#FactsMatter, Don’t be a victim of fake news; instead, let’s fight misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media. To avoid spreading false information, don’t share content you’re unsure about or know where it comes from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim, and our team will immediately fact-check it and respond.

Fact-check: Can paw paw seeds ward off malaria? No, scientifically unproven

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Writer: Jibi Moses

A Facebook post by Mr. Chia, a page that concentrates on foods and nutrition claimed on 14th October 2022 that Papaya seeds are a medication for Malaria.

The post that has since attracted 13 reactions, 3 comments and 2 shares carries a picture of a ripe pawpaw with the caption ‘ward off malaria with paw paw seeds’.

The post further claims that the paw paw seeds have more health benefits as in being a powerful antioxidant, relieves menstrual pain, healthy gut, helps in weight loss, anti-cancer properties, and nephroprotective.

A screenshot of the image used by Mr. Chia. 

But, how do paw paw seeds ward off malaria? 211 Check looks at the claim:

The Facebook page, Mr. Chia mostly posts about foods and associated health benefits, and attributes a single food type to be medicinal too many diseases for example, in this case, it named malaria, cancer, healthy gut, reduces on menstrual pain, and protects the kidneys. In another post they wrote on sugarcane, explaining similar benefits.

However, there’s no clear dosage for the patient who is taking the medication in the page’s posts.

211 Check spoke to a medical doctor in Juba, Dr.Gwolo David of Juba Medicare clinic, enquiring whether papaya seeds can help prevent and cure malaria, but he said there’s no proven way that papaya seeds can help prevent or cure malaria though studies have shown its inhibitory effects on Plasmodium falciparum (malaria).

He said papaya, just like any fruit, is nutritional and he advises people to always have them in their diet, but they shouldn’t be eating them as medication. He further advised people to always visit a medical personnel when not feeling okay and take medication as advised by the physician.

Dr.Odol George, a Juba-based physician, had an answer not different from that of Dr.David.

“What is known is that fruits are good for health because they contain a lot of vitamins which will improve body immunity and have antioxidant elements like Vitamin E and Zinc,” he said.

Efforts to get a comment from the National Drug Authority were futile, as they couldn’t reply to our email. 

What is Papaya?

According to Wikipedia papaya or pawpaw is the plant Carica papaya, one of the 22 accepted species in the genus Carica family Caricaceae. It was first domesticated in Mesoamerica, within modern day southern Mexico and Central America. In 2020 India produced 43% of the world supply of papaya.

An Internet based nutritional WebMD explains how beneficial papaya is to one’s health. Similarly other sites explains in their different as seen here, here, here and here 

An image of a sliced ripe papaya (pawpaw) fruit. 

Malaria causes symptoms, prevention and treatment 

Malaria is spread by a female anopheles mosquito. Most common signs of malaria are fever, headache, joint pains and others. Malaria can be mild to deadly extent if not treated early enough. There many medicines that treat Malaria according to the way an individual responds to the parasites.

The Center for Diseases control explains more about Malaria, its causes, symptoms and treatment in this post. World Health Organization, the body that regulates and coordinates health issues in the world has this to say about malaria 

Malaria treatment 

Malaria is treated with a variety of medicines some of which are Chloroquine, Doxycycline, and Primaquine.

These health establishments give a better and more explanation on the types of medicines used for treating Malaria and these are: CDC, MedicineNet, and drugs.com.

Conclusion:

Given the findings after the comments from the medical doctors and reliable online sources, there’s on prove that papaya seeds are a medication for either malaria or the other said ailments.

The online nutritional sites which are somehow in support of the claim, warn that patients should first seek advice from a medical Doctor or a physician should they catch malaria.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.