The under-five mortality rate in Mali is high, with most deaths occurring in the community where there is no reliable vital events registration. The objective of this study was to collect data on community-based vital events registration in the Niono and Barouéli districts of the Ségou region, in order to improve the community-based vital events registration system.

Data collection for this cross-sectional, descriptive, and qualitative study was conducted in May 2010. Participants included health and administrative workers, community members, women’s associations, and non-governmental organizations. Data collection methods included individual interviews and focus groups, as well as document review. Data were entered and codified with Modalisa version 5.1.

Pregnancy registration was performed exclusively by health workers in health facilities and was not performed before the third month of pregnancy due to concerns about losing the pregnancy (due to sorcery or spells). Birth registration was performed in administrative and health structures and at the community level, but after an interval of about 7 days.Childhood deaths were rarely registered because the community did not understand the importance of this registration, and because of problems accessing the structures in which deaths are registered. Community opinions were favourable to the implementation of an improved system involving relays (community-based volunteers).

Improvements to vital events registration in this setting should make use of relays by increasing the awareness and involvement of the population.