Abstract:
Reducing child malnutrition is a key millennium development goal, as child malnutrition produces a wide and diverse
range of adverse economic and social consequences. Child malnutrition is highest in the estate sector with over 43%
of children underweight. The main objective of this study was to examine the determinants for birth weight of infant
in estate sector. 90 households were selected from 120 households in Pettigala GN division in Balangoda. Chi-square
tests and multiple regression model were used for the analysis. More than 72% of infants were born in nine months.
More than 6 8 % of pregnant mothers were employed and 54% of them had only primary education. According to the
regression outputs mother's illness, education level, employment, participation for the clinic, animal products
consumption and the gestation period were highly influenced the birth weight of the infant. The study concludes that
more than 42 percent of infant were recorded as low birth weight in estate sector. Authority should pay attention on
the matters to improve the awareness, participation for clinics and nutritious food consumption of pregnant mothers
in estate sector.
