Most newborn deaths are associated with birth asphyxia (40%), low birth weigt and prematurity (25%) and infections (20%). In Mali, in the Community Health Centers (CSCOM) exercises a staff composed of the nurse chief of health centers (ICPM) assuring the supervision of the matrons that is charged in pregnancy and the newborn. An investigation KAP (Knowledge, Attitudes and Practises) initiated in order to assess the knowledge and the practices of the community health centers agents on birth asphyxia. The survey was cross-sectional and that took place in September 2004. Have been included in the study the matrons, the nurse chief available at the time of the survey. The multiplicity of the names mentioned among which Ninakili dégou (27,3%) and Niominè (15,2%) are the most frequent and show the necessity of a qualitative investigation to find a name. Prolonged labor more than 12 hours (73,3%) and the stained amniotic liquid (63,3%) are the most recognized signs during labor making fear the birth asphyxia. In our survey the prolonged labor (63,7%), the infection/malaria of mother (60,7%) and the Dystocic delivery (45,5%) were the mostly reported causes of birth asphyxia. The pale or bluish coloration (69,7%), the irregular or lack of breath (69,7%), the lack of cry (63,6%) were known as the main signs of birth asphyxia. We noted some good practices as aspirating with a bulb (69,7%) and clearing upper ways with a finger covered with gauze (30,3% ); doing the mouth to mouth (51,5%); stimulating the newborn (66,7%). The improvement of the neontatal mortality requires the training of the staff and the equipment of the centers in small simple materials of resuscitation.