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Healthcheck Reports

Are more than a quarter of Nigerian women still subjected to genital mutilation?

A young woman walks past a campaign banner against female genital mutilation at a 2004 international conference in Kenya to end the practice. Photo: AFP/SIMON MAINA

Claim

More than a quarter of Nigerian women are still subjected to genital mutilation

Source:
Nigeria's The Guardian newspaper
(Jan 2018)

incorrect

Verdict

Newest data shows this number has since fallen.

Read more

10:33 | 26th February 2018 (GMT)

  • female genital mutilation
  • health
  • women

Factsheet: FACTSHEET: Tracking the state of Nigerians’ health over 10 years

Has the health of Nigerians improved over the last decade, at least according to eight key indicators? We examined the trends revealed by a series of major surveys.

08:17 | 13th February 2018 (GMT)

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  • health
  • HIV/AIDS
  • women
  • World Health Organisation

Does Nigeria have 23% of world’s malaria cases, as an insecticide maker claimed?

A health official tests a woman for malaria in a district of Lagos in April 2016. Photo: AFP/PIUS UTOMI EKPEI

Claim

“Nigeria contributes 23% of the global malaria cases”

Source: Insecticide brand Mortein

downplayed

Verdict

Most recent data shows its higher

Read more

07:13 | 7th February 2018 (GMT)

  • health
  • malaria
  • World Health Organisation
checked

#5facts: SA’s top 2017 numbers

Crime, income, social grants, obesity and migrants. We picked five facts about big South African talking points in 2017.

05:50 | 20th December 2017 (GMT)

3 comments

  • crime
  • health
  • income inequality
  • welfare
checked

Handwashing 101: Dettol’s disease-busting claims under the microscope

School-children in Kenya wash their hands on the first 'Global Handwashing Day' in 2008. Photo: AFP/TONY KARUMBA

Just how likely are you to avoid diarrhea or the flu by regularly washing your hands? And how big a toll does diarrhea take among the very young?

06:20 | 11th December 2017 (GMT)

3 comments

  • children
  • health
  • HIV/AIDS
  • malaria
unproven

Is SA ‘among the top six in the world’ for nuclear medicine ingredients?

South Africa’s third energy minister for 2017 has high praise for the country’s nuclear capabilities. Here’s what we know about South Africa’s contribution to nuclear medicine.

06:30 | 15th November 2017 (GMT)

3 comments

  • health
mostly-correct

SA billboard likely understates child ‘hunger’ deaths

The Democratic Alliances’s billboard at Park Station in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was later taken down. PHOTO: COURTESY/DA

In a publicity campaign, South Africa’s official opposition put a spotlight on the number of children dying due to a lack of food every day. But the figure is probably even higher.

10:52 | 7th November 2017 (GMT)

1 comment

  • children
  • health
  • reader suggestion
checked

Does Nigeria have the most people with diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa?

A nurse (right) collects a blood sample from a patient using a glucometer at a free diabetic health checkup camp in Hyderabad,India in November2009.Middle and low income countries are seeing the highest increase in diabetes incidence. Photo : AFP/NOAH SEELAM

A top drug firm executive said Nigeria registers the most new cases of diabetes in the region and that 5 million people in the country are living with the disease. Do the claims get a clean bill of health?

07:44 | 1st November 2017 (GMT)

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  • Africa
  • diabetes
  • health
  • World Health Organisation

Blog post: ANALYSIS: The case for speed cameras on South Africa’s deadly roads

In theory, anything which reduces a motorist’s speed could reduce the possibility of a crash – or serious injury, if one occurs. But does research back up the case for traffic cameras to help enforce speed limits?

07:53 | 19th October 2017 (GMT)

1 comment

  • health
  • transport
checked

#5facts: The sad extent of suicide in South Africa

A recent suicide of a university student in South Africa has put self-harm deaths back in the headlines. We look at 5 facts about suicide in South Africa.

04:00 | 16th October 2017 (GMT)

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  • causes of death
  • health
  • suicide
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