Salam Adat of Wemale and Alune Tribes in Maluku

Community empowerment is a strategic effort to increase the independence and welfare of residents through the utilization of local potential. This empowerment through the Kampung Nanas program focuses on the cultivation of Smooth Cayenne pineapple varieties. However, the empowerment approach taken has not been optimal. This study aims to analyze the factors that influence the community empowerment process and formulate strategies that can be applied in Margoluwih Village. The research approach uses a qualitative method with case studies, involving observation, interviews, and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). The analysis used is SWOT and QSPM. The results of the study indicate that technical training on good and correct pineapple cultivation, as well as providing access for the community to consult with experts in the field, plays an important role in improving the quality of pineapple cultivation. This effort is expected to produce optimal pineapple plants. In addition, ongoing assistance and regular meetings have proven to be effective strategies in empowering communities in Margoluwih Village. This study confirms that an empowerment strategy based on a participatory model, with financial support from the government and the involvement of millennial farmers as assistants, can increase the sustainability of community empowerment programs through the Kampung Nanas program. Therefore, village governments and agricultural extension workers need to design collaborations to increase community income in a sustainable manner.

This paper investigated the validity concerns in the application of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and One-on-one Qualitative Interviews as forms of qualitative social research methods with the objective of unraveling the validity concerns embedded in their application.In order to reach this objective, theeffectiveness of qualitative social research methods – FGDs and One-on-one Qualitative Interviews– is put on the line by empirically comparing and contrasting data from two FGD sessions and one-on-one interviews to ascertain the consistency in terms of data retrieved from participants using these two data collection methods. The study is guided by the hypothesis that data obtained via FGDs may be influenced by groupthink rather than individual participant’s perspectives. A critical scrutiny of the data that emanated from the two organized FGDs departed quite significantly from the data that was elicited from the one-on-one qualitative interviews. The difference in responses confirms that FGDs are not fully insulated from the shackles of groupthink. It is recommended, among others,that though FGD can stand unilaterally as a research methodology for non-sensitive topics with no direct personal implications forparticipants; researchers should be encouraged to adopt FGD in league with other methods in a form of triangulation or mixed methodological approach for amore quality data, bearing in mind the central role occupied by data in the social scientific research process.Key Words: Focus Group Discussion, One-on-One Qualitative Interview, Social Research Methodology, Qualitative Data, and Groupthink.

Resource management characterized by Common Pool Resources (CPRs) requires collective action for its sustainable management. CPRs with “rivalry” and “non-excludable” features face overexploitation problems because unlike the nature of pure public goods, the use of CPRs by one user will reduce the chances of other users taking advantage of it. This study aims to analyze the most appropriate local institutions and tenure arrangements for sustainable mangrove management in Eastern coast area of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Data and information were collected through in-depth interviews involving key informants selected by using snow-ball method and continued by Focus Group Discussion. Design principles for sustainable management of common pool resources of Ostrom has been used in this study as an analytical framework which illustrate the structure of rules established and imposed by the local CPR’s institutions. The findings show that collective action in sustainable mangrove management can be achieved through accepted rules and agreements that are participatory formulated. The agreed norms and rules have enacted as a benchmark for collective action in maintaining mangrove and to enforce sanctions for violators. The success of the community in sustainable mangrove resources management is mainly supported by the existence of several prerequisites that facilitate collective action. It is necessary to strengthen regulations both at the local and higher level through socialization to the community along with the development of incentive and disincentives system.

Marine tourism management is not just a matter of governance per se, institutional factors also seem to have an influence, especially in traditional marine tourism management, such as in Payangan. To understand the relationship between governance and institutions in marine tourism management in Payangan, this study aims to analyze the problems in governance and institutions in Payangan, as well as to develop a conceptual model design. The method used in this research is a qualitative method with the Soft System Methodology (SSM) approach as a systemic approach to solve complex governance and institutional problems in Payangan through a series of stages. The research results indicate that the dominant problem situation in Payangan is not in its governance, but rather in its institutions, particularly in accommodating the values of the local community that have long been neglected, as they are monopolized by certain small community groups and elements of the Sumberejo Village Government who are only seeking economic gain. The monopolies of certain parties have caused the governance and institutionalization of marine tourism in Payangan to not function properly, requiring a new conceptual model of governance and institutions based on the construction of reality, social networks, and path-dependent development within the realm of the science of administration, or New Institutional Administrations (NIA), as a development and critique of the first-level institution or embeddedness proposed by Williamson, which has economic dimensions or New Institutional Economics (NIE).

This paper uncovers the importance of people’s place-values on sustainable forest management, and how such values can be incorporated into forest management actions and decision-making. Specifically, it focuses on mapping economic and cultural values on forest ecosystem services; assesses how non-materials and materials benefit from forest ecosystem cause landscape fragmentation; and how this information could assist in better forest planning and management. The data were collected from ten villages surrounding the Ngezi forest reserve in Pemba, Tanzania. Data were collected through participatory mapping, field observation, and focus group discussions. A map of place-values for each respondent was transferred from paper to digital format, digitized and coded using the GIS, and analysed using kernel density. Non-spatial data were processed and integrated into GIS-based spatial analysis. The results indicate that only 12 areas were identified as very high-valued and these require careful consideration for sustainable forest planning and management. About 4 out of 6 very high-valued areas for material services are found inside the reserve. The areas outside the reserve are undervalued and not utilized effectively for material services. Contrary to cultural services, only 1 out of 6 very high-valued places is located inside the reserve. Furthermore, economic situations, together with social driving forces, have been important determinants of forest values in the areas. Therefore, placevalues issues, particularly economic development outcomes, preservation of the aesthetics and improvement of recreational amenities should be considered when examining sustainable forest resource management.

Introduction: The issue of MDGs 4 and 5 that targets reducing the AKI and AKB by three-quarters between 1990 and 2015 seems difficult to achieve if there are no immediate concrete steps. Areas with the highest AKI and AKB are Sampang Regency. Looking at the empirical conditions, it is necessary to identify the factors that led to the high AKI and AKB in Sampang Regency. There is an existing health policy in Sampang district through LIBAS (Lima Bebas) 2+, but it needs to be monitored and evaluated to ensure policy implementation went well. This study aims to assess the implementation of the Libas programs and identify socio-cultural factors that influence health policy implementation. Methods: This study used qualitative methods that took place at the Puskesmas Camplong, Sampang Regency. Informants were selected purposively. The research data was collected by participating observation, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. The finding was analyzed using descriptive analysis. Results: Sociologically, the implementation of policy to reduce AKI and AKB in Sampang Regency is one of which is influenced by the shaman midwife partnerships, especially in the delivery process. Increasing public confidence in midwives indicates strengthening social relations. 5T programs (weigh, tension, tablet Fe, weigh abdominal size, and height) is helpful to control the development of maternal pregnancy. “Healthy Babies 24 Hours” SMS number serves as a control and monitoring in delivery care. Nonetheless, culturally, traditional cultural construction of Madura, particularly the coastal communities, still entrenched so that the construction of knowledge about reproductive health is still weak. Shaman massage, herbal medicine, pregnancy myths, and charismatic central figure are prominent. Social relation between local actors is still weak, so is the local actors support. Conclusion: Strong local culture values and weak social relationship and support of local actors as a result of program implementation LIBAS2+ reduce AKI and AKB efforts in Sampang Regency had not been effective. Keywords: health policy, LIBAS 2+, social relationship, local culture

This paper introduces nine steps that are recommended in conducting focus group discussions in rural communities and gives an example of how they can appropriately and fruitfully be employed in adolescent health behavioural research. The paper also reviewed issues related to methods of data collection, data analysis, reliability and validity in qualitative research. Focus group discussions took place in classrooms in three schools in Mankweng, Limpopo Province of South Africa. Three groups (boys only, girls only and mixed) took part in each school. Participants were selected from the pool of standard seven (grade 9) students from the chosen schools. The nine steps that were involved in using focus group discussions as a research method and the Mankweng experience is discussed. These steps include: (1) conducting a social influence analysis; (2) identifying the specific information to collect; (3) designing focus group discussion guide; (4) choosing the participants for the focus group discussion; (5) selecting focus group discussion moderators; (6) training focus group discussion moderators; (7) conducting the focus group discussion; (8) analysing the data collected; (9) formulating study conclusions and policy recommendations. Little adolescent health research in South Africa has been based upon methods that can capture the complexity of the role of significant others in adolescent health and development and the powerlessness of rural communities in dealing with the 'new morbidity' of adolescent risk behaviours. Understanding what sort of power relations, for example, that are involved in being relatively disadvantaged and how the power of such social groups can be increased is common concern of development managers and other individuals and institutions engaged in policy changes and implementation and deserve to be an essential component of child and adolescent health research. Well-collected and well-analysed qualitative data is needed in order to clearly understand some of the underlying predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors that could account for adolescent risk behaviours in rural communities. Qualitative research method is important in that they capture the complexity of life, rather than trying to 'reduce' this complexity, and the potential for gaining an understanding of what is going on in the situation with the phenomenon is greater. Focus group discussions, a qualitative research methodology, can yield valuable data.

The growing environmental crisis, exacerbated by the increasing volume of food waste, presents a critical challenge for sustainable waste management globally. In countries like Malaysia, where food waste accounts for nearly 50% of household waste, the mismanagement of waste leads to environmental degradation, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. While many communities are aware of the environmental consequences of waste mismanagement, the translation of this knowledge into consistent, everyday action remains limited. Understanding the impact of community participation on sustainable waste management is crucial for designing effective interventions. The objective of this research is to investigate the effect of community participation on sustainable waste management practices, particularly focusing on the role of education and involvement in adopting skills such as composting and waste reduction. This study employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. A sample of 200 participants was surveyed pre- and postintervention to assess changes in knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to waste management. Additionally, focus group discussions with 30 participants were conducted to explore the social influences, challenges, and perceived benefits of the program. The results from the quantitative analysis revealed significant improvements in knowledge (mean score increase from 45.2 to 75.6), attitudes (from 40.3 to 80.1), and practices (from 35.8 to 70.4) following community-based educational programs. Furthermore, correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship between participation levels and composting frequency (r = 0.65, p < 0.001). The study concludes that community participation, combined with education, significantly enhances sustainable waste management outcomes, though challenges such as resource constraints must be addressed for long-term success.

BackgroundMen who have sex with men (MSM) are a key group for HIV interventions in Malawi considering their high HIV prevalence (17.5% compared to 8.4% among men in the general population). The use of oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) presents a new opportunity for MSM to be protected. We present the findings from a qualitative assessment designed to assess awareness of and willingness and barriers to using PrEP among MSM in Malawi.ObjectiveThe 3 main objectives of this assessment were to determine: (1) awareness of PrEP, (2) factors that influence willingness to use PrEP, and (3) potential barriers to PrEP use and adherence among MSM in order to guide the design and implementation of a PrEP program in Malawi.MethodsAhead of the introduction of PrEP in Malawi, a qualitative study using in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted in October 2018 in Blantyre, Lilongwe, and rural districts of Mzimba North and Mangochi. With support of members of the population, study participants were purposively recruited from 4 MSM-friendly drop-in centers where MSM receive a range of health services to ensure representativeness across sites and age. Participants were asked what they had heard about PrEP, their willingness to use PrEP, their barriers to PrEP use, and their preferences for service delivery. The data were analyzed using a thematic content analysis framework that was predetermined in line with objectives.ResultsA total of 109 MSM were interviewed—13 through IDIs and 96 through FGDs. Most participants were aware of PrEP as a new HIV intervention but had limited knowledge related to its use. However, the majority were willing to use it and were looking forward to having access to it. IDI participants indicated that they will be more willing to take PrEP if the dosing frequency were appropriate and MSM were involved in information giving and distribution of the drug. FGD participants emphasized that places of distribution and characteristics of the service provider are the key factors that will affect use. Knowing the benefits of PrEP emerged as a key theme in both the IDIs and FGDs. Participants highlighted barriers that would hinder them from taking PrEP such as side effects which were cited in IDIs and FGDs. Key factors from FGDs include cost, fear of being outed, drug stockouts, fear of being known as MSMs by wives, and lack of relevant information. FGDs cited stigma from health care workers, forgetfulness, and community associated factors.ConclusionsDespite having inadequate knowledge about PrEP, study participants were largely willing to use PrEP if available. Programs should include an effective information, education, and communication component around their preferences and provide PrEP in MSM-friendly sites.

Below the radar’ has become a short-hand term for small community groups who are either not registered with the Charity Commission or other regulatory bodies and/or lack a regular, substantial annual income. Much of the existing research into the third sector has focused on formal, larger, organisations leaving gaps in the knowledge base around the nature and function of small groups and more informal activities which happen at a community level. This chapter critically examines the claims that small community groups are distinctive and differ from formal voluntary organisations in terms of the ways they work, their activities and goals.

A study on social network transformation of river restoration movement is very important as it is related to the network’s ability of adapting to various changes and a movement’s sustainability. This research aims to reveal the history of movement emergence, tactic, and strategy, process and procedure of social network establishment and social network transformation. An ethnographic approach was chosen by involving Komunitas Pemerti Kali Code (Code River Observer Community) as the main subject of current research. Data collection was conducted through live-in-society process for 2 months to conduct participant observation, in-depth interview and Focus Group Discussion. Data analysis was constructed using Mario Diani’s theory about social movement as a network. The result of research shows that the first factor is the emergence of problem and grievance about river contamination by rubbish and waste due to people’s poor literacy about river. The second one is movement strategy and tactic used in the form of structural and cultural approach to restore the river. The third is the process of creating social network based on shared idea, value, norm, collective identity, and interest related to the river. The fourth is social network experiencing transformation from spontaneity, institutionalization to autonomy phase as the attempt of adapting to and reconciling with the form of change to maintain the movement sustainability.
 Keywords: River Restoration Movement, Movement Strategy, Social Network Establishment, and Social Network Transformation

This paper describes the relationship between the state and the people in relation to public services deliveryby the local government to its citizens in the Federal State of Nepal. The study was based on studied between the years 2019 to 2023 through the ethnographic approach like interviews, observation, and focus group discussions. The data presented in the text reveal that the local government isneithercloser to its citizens, although it is geographically near to them, nor equally access to all of them. It always represents the elite class and powerful group in a society. Furthermore, local government is not both an ‘object’ defined by its territorial boundaries and a ‘concrete structure’ like organography. For the citizens, the state is defined by its activities or performances, including the delivery of services to its citizens.It is constructed through the interaction between the local government and citizens in everyday life experiences that helps us to understand what the local government (state) means for the people at large, and how they perceive it. Furthermore, the understanding of the delivery of public services by local government is possible through the combination of structure and agency together that creates a robust framework for the ethnography of the state.

Traditional and complementary health care during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum in the Kaili ethnic culture

The Subak agricultural system in Bali functions not only as a traditional irrigation structure but also as an integration of ecological knowledge and Hindu spirituality, particularly through the use of the Wariga astrological system. In the context of modernization and social transformation, this astrological practice is increasingly challenged, raising concerns over the sustainability of local cultural knowledge. This study aims to explore the role and transformation of Hindu astrology in the agricultural culture of Subak communities in Tabanan Regency, as well as to examine community-driven efforts to revitalize such traditional knowledge. Using an ethnographic approach, data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, document analysis, and focus group discussions with local farmers and customary leaders. The findings reveal that Wariga remains a significant epistemological framework for determining planting schedules and agricultural rituals, despite the ongoing hybridization with modern calendrical systems. Adaptation strategies such as the digitalization of Balinese calendars, the involvement of customary institutions, and cultural education initiatives have become essential in maintaining the relevance of Wariga. This research highlights the importance of recognizing local epistemologies in sustainable development and the need to integrate spirituality, traditional knowledge, and agricultural policy. This research confirms the importance of integrating local epistemologies in sustainable agricultural policy, while enriching non-Western scientific discourse.

Despite the dynamics of public health policies during COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania, religious organisations (ROs) enhanced healthcare services and support while adapting safe measures. The study assessed the health care and support activities conducted by ROs during COVID-19. Furthermore, the study explored how Islamic and Christians teachings, practices, and meanings were crucial to the design and execution of ROs’ COVID-19 healthcare activities. The study employed the concepts of religion as a model for, and model of lived reality; and development as holistic process. The study used ethnographic approaches such as participant observation, interviews and focus group discussion. Findings showed that ROs conducted both medical and non-medical activities, formal and informal healthcare services and provided support to their members and the general public access to COVID-19 related healthcare services and support particularly for those coming from poor socioeconomic backgrounds. Religious teachings, practices and meanings informed and motivated ROs healthcare workers, followers and the management in responding to COVID-19. The study concludes that ROs’ COVID-19 healthcare interventions are dynamic, adaptive and practical for they influence and are being influenced by religious teachings, practices, experiences and meanings as well as existing socio-economic and political realities.