Health inequity of early age mortality in Ende district, Indonesia

Mortality in early age provides a primary measure of health in a population. Despite falls in early age mortality rates (ie, age less than 5 years) in Indonesia in recent decades, high mortality rates exist in poorer provinces in Eastern Indonesia such as Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT). The main challenge for NTT is to obtain valid and reliable early mortality data that can be used for developing appropriate health policy and monitoring. This research aims to provide more reliable and up-to-date measures of early age mortality to the local government in Ende and similar district in NTT. It plans to utilize data from an early age mortality survey conducted in 2010 in Ende, and match reported deaths to recent vital registration system. It also will use data from other similar district. Furthermore, qualitative research would identify more depth information or underlying opinions in the community on child survival program in NTT. The expected outcome of this research would be in the form of publish articles both international and national journals and plan of action for local governments to strengthen child survival program. This study also contributes knowledge and experience on measuring mortality in developing countries for international community.