Determinants of inequality in under five nutrition status in West Nusa Tenggara Province Indonesia 2008

Abstract

West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is one of the Province with high prevalence of malnutrition, and also the province with the highest infant mortality rate in Indonesia. The problem is caused by many factors. This paper analyzes the level of social economic inequalities on community in the sub district (Kecamatan) and its relationship with prevalence of malnutrition in a region based on cross sectional secondary data. Inequality analysis used Shorrock Index order 2nd, find out inequalities within regions (Island) and among regions (Island) in the West Nusa Tenggara Province. The analysis found, that inequalities in health services, health worker distribution, poverty gap and ethnicity (Samawa and Mbojo) within a community are major factors causing the high prevalence of malnutrition. This research also found that the poverty gap within a region and other factors i.e. household poverty incidence in the community, as well as the limited supply of basic infra-structure such as, health facilities, clean water and sanitation are underlying factors that caused the high prevalence of malnutrition in NTB Province. Different strategies are needed to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition in the region (Island) and also other regions with similar background.