INFANT MORTALITY IN NUAULU AND NON-NUAULU COMMUNITIES IN MALUKU TENGAH: SOCIAL EXCLUSION AND ETHNICITY IN INDONESIA
ABSTRACT: Nuaulu is a tribal
community in Maluku. Geographically this community is not isolated as is
commonly assumed tribal communities living in remote areas are. Located among
non-tribal communities, it is only a few kilometres from the centre of the
Maluku Tengah District. However, these communities differ in social
provisioning entitlements. This study uses infant mortality to explain social
phenomena in the communities. Through a structured survey and literature study,
it has found that infant mortality in the Nuaulu population in Rouhua is higher
than in the non-Nuaulu population in Makariki. Social factors such as education,
health and culture are considered determinants of the mortality together with
household economic resources. None of these socio-economic factors works alone
but through links among them as analysed using Mosley and Chen's framework
(1984). Therefore, I argue that different availability of and access to social
services and economic resources are the major reasons for the different trends.
Cultural practices are not a problem if social and economic needs are properly
satisfied. Political will and the concern of the Government are the crux of the
matter in this context. Excluding ethnic communities from social policies makes
people within those conununities vulnerable.
Penulis: Lusia Peilouw
Kode Jurnal: jpsosiologidd070055
