MAPPING PNEUMONIA IN TODDLERS: THE ROLE OF POPULATION DENSITY, SANITATION, AND HEALTH FACILITIES IN NORTH SUMATERA PROVINCE 2022-2023

Background: Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in children under five years of age in Indonesia. This age group is vulnerable due to their immature immune systems. Environmental factors such as population detnsity, poor sanitation, and limited health care facilities exacerbate this condition. Objectives: This study aims to map the spatial distribution of pneumonia cases in toddlers in North Sumatra Province in 2022–2023, as well as analyze its relationship with population density, sanitation conditions, and the number of health facilities. Methods: This study used a region-based ecological design with spatial analysis. Secondary data were obtained from the North Sumatra Central Statistics Agency and analyzed using QGIS through spatial overlay techniques. Results: Deli Serdang Regency recorded the highest number of pneumonia cases in both years, with 1,322 cases (2022) and 2,452 cases (2023). Although Medan City has the highest population density, the number of cases is not always proportional. Areas with poor sanitation access, such as South Nias, showed an increase in cases, while areas with high health facilities continued to record high incidents. Conclusion: Environmental factors collectively influence the distribution of pneumonia in toddlers in North Sumatra. Spatial analysis is effective for identifying priority areas for public health interventions.