The spatial econometrics of stunting toddlers in Nusa Tenggara Timur Province 2019

Stunting is caused by chronic malnutrition, which impairs toddlers’ growth, brain development, and immune systems. Paying attention to toddler nutrition, water use, and other socio-economic factors have become the solution to reducing stunting rates. This study used seven predictor variables which are indicated to have an effect on increasing or decreasing stunting in NTT. The spatial lag model (SAR) was considered. We used the Euclidean distance method to determine the neighborhood and Moran’s I test was applied to identify the autocorrelation. The R shiny program was developed to estimate the model parameters. The SAR model's diagnostic checking shows that the normality, non-autocorrelation, and homogeneity assumptions have been satisfied. The nutrition variable indicating that toddler malnutrition has a significant and positive effect on increasing stunting in NTT. The effect of malnutrition has the greatest effect on increasing stunting. The household variable indicating that surface water (rivers/lakes/reservoirs/irrigation ponds) is the primary source of bathing/washing/cooking have a significant and positive effect on increasing stunting in NTT. We also found that the use of wells as the primary source of drinking water has a significant and negative effect on stunting in NTT. Increasing access to safe drinking water can be one solution to reduce stunting rates. Economic growth has a significant and negative effect on decreasing stunting, while the population density has a positive effect on increasing stunting in NTT. Increasing economic growth in high stunting areas are needed. Education and poverty variables do not have a significant effect.