Conference Abstract | Volume 9 (ConfPro8): Abstract 62 | Published: 09 Oct 2026
Thelma Shinjeka1,&, Chanda Stephen Longa1, Maureen Chileshe1, Amos Hamukale1, Mwila Ngandu2,3, Thandizani Zulu3, Davie Simwaba1, Roma Chilengi1
1Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia, 2The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia, 3TZ Consultancy Limited Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
&Corresponding author: Thelma Shinjeka, Surveillance and Disease Intelligence Unit, Zambia National Public Health Institute, Lusaka, Zambia, Email: thelmashinjeka@yahoo.com
Received: 11 Mar 2026, Accepted: 30 Aug 2026, Published: 09 Oct 2026
Domain: Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Keywords: Health planning, resource allocation, mortality, stigma, Zambia
©Thelma Shinjeka et al. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (ISSN: 2664-2824). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Cite this article: Thelma Shinjeka et al., Assessing community-level vital events reporting challenges within digital civil registration systems in Zambia: A formative research for a mortality surveillance sample-based registration system, 2024. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2026;9(ConfPro8):62. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO8-0062
A robust Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system is the cornerstone of legal identity, public health planning, policy formulation and resource allocation. In Zambia, significant gaps persist in the timely and accurate registration of vital events, particularly births and deaths, hindering the nation’s ability to comprehensively monitor mortality trends. We conducted a formative assessment to explore community perceptions and cultural beliefs surrounding the registration of births and deaths.
We employed a qualitative study design, utilising Focus Group Discussions and In-depth Interviews. Data was collected from six provinces of Zambia. Participants were segmented into distinct groups to capture a range of perspectives: mothers and fathers of young children, women of reproductive age without children, community health workers and leaders. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurrent patterns, key themes and actionable insights from the transcribed discussions.
A total of 60 interviews were conducted through FGDs, KIIs and IDIs across various provinces. In relation to birth registration, key findings include critical knowledge gaps regarding its importance, systemic failures, and low perceived urgency for using birth certificates. In relation to deaths, difficulties in reporting of deaths were attributed to inconsistent processes, logistical and social barriers. Social stigmas attached to specific causes of death were a primary reason for non-reporting or misreporting.
The study reveals that under-registration of vital events in these Zambian communities is not primarily due to cultural opposition but rather a combination of systemic failures, a significant knowledge-practice gap, gendered barriers, and pervasive stigma. The current CRVS system is perceived as inaccessible, bureaucratic, and poorly communicated to the populace. While cultural beliefs influence the timing and nature of reporting, community members are open to official registration when its benefits are clear, and the process is respectful, confidential, and convenient.
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