PRESS RELEASE
4 June 2026
The Solomon Islands National University (SINU), in partnership with Johns Hopkins University (JHU), has shared new research findings highlighting key barriers and opportunities for improving female death registration in the Solomon Islands. The findings were presented during a dissemination workshop held in Auki, Malaita Province, on 3 June 2026.
The research, conducted between 2024 and 2025 in Honiara and Malaita Province, examined factors influencing female death registration and identified practical measures to strengthen the country’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system. By comparing Honiara, where female death registration rates are relatively higher, with Malaita Province, where registration rates are lower, researchers identified barriers, facilitators, and opportunities to improve registration practices across the country.
Accurate death registration is essential for effective health planning, public policy development, and the delivery of government services. Ensuring that female deaths are properly recorded contributes to more reliable national data and supports informed decision-making for the wellbeing of communities throughout the Solomon Islands.
The dissemination workshop brought together community representatives, nurses, church leaders, provincial health officials, and other stakeholders to review the findings and discuss practical solutions for strengthening death registration systems, particularly for women.
The findings were presented by the research team, including Dr. Hugo Bugoro, Mr. Nixon Panda, and Mr. Collin Benjamin. Participants contributed valuable insights and recommendations based on their experiences and understanding of local contexts.
Among the key issues discussed were differences in female and male registration rates, the influence of socio-cultural systems on registration practices, and the need for similar studies to be conducted in other provinces. Participants recommended extending future research to provinces with matrilineal systems to compare findings with those from Malaita, where patrilineal traditions are predominant.
A significant finding highlighted during the workshop was the important role churches play in documenting deaths within communities. Participants noted that churches often maintain records independently of government systems and recommended stronger collaboration between churches, the Civil Registration Office, and the Ministry of Health to improve the completeness and accuracy of death registration data.
Speaking during the dissemination, Dr. Hugo Bugoro emphasized the importance of sharing research findings with communities that contributed to the study.
“Research should not end when data collection is completed. Dissemination is an important step that allows communities and stakeholders to understand the findings, validate the results, and contribute to recommendations that can lead to meaningful improvements in policies and practice.”
Participants also stressed that dissemination should lead to action and policy improvements that address the challenges identified in the study. They encouraged relevant authorities and stakeholders to consider implementing the recommendations to strengthen female death registration systems throughout the country.
The workshop in Auki marked the completion of stakeholder engagement and community feedback activities in both study locations. An earlier dissemination event was held in Honiara, bringing together national stakeholders, government officials, health practitioners, and community representatives. Together, these engagements ensured that research participants and decision-makers were informed of the evidence generated through the collaboration between SINU and Johns Hopkins University.
The research team acknowledged the support of the Malaita Provincial Health authorities, community leaders, church representatives, healthcare workers, and all study participants whose contributions made the research possible.
This collaboration between SINU and Johns Hopkins University demonstrates the value of research partnerships in generating evidence that supports stronger health systems, improved governance, and more effective public service delivery. The study provides practical recommendations that can contribute to strengthening death registration systems and improving the quality of national data for future planning and development in the Solomon Islands.
ENDS//
Media Contact: Public Relations Office (PRO) Solomon Islands National University (SINU)
Research Team: Dr. Hugo Bugoro, Mr. Nixon Panda, Mr. Collin Benjamin
Project: Barriers and Facilitators of Female Death Registration in the Solomon Islands (2024–2025) Joint Research Collaboration between Solomon Islands National University and Johns Hopkins University