DEVELOPMENT AND CONTENT VALIDATION OF THE BABYLITE MOBILE APPLICATION TO SUPPORT STIMULATION IN INFANTS WITH LOW BIRTH WEIGHT IN INDONESIA

Abstract

Background: Infants born with low birth weight (LBW) face elevated risks of developmental delays, particularly in resource-limited settings where access to early stimulation services is often inadequate. In Indonesia, there is a lack of culturally tailored digital tools to guide caregivers in providing evidence-based stimulation for LBW infants.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate the content of BabyLite, a mobile application designed to support caregivers in delivering structured developmental stimulation to infants with LBW in the Indonesian context.

Methods: A research and development approach was used, incorporating literature review, stakeholder input, and expert panel validation. The application’s content was mapped across five developmental domains and developed using Android SDK and Firebase technologies. Nine multidisciplinary experts in pediatric nursing, neonatology, child psychology, and digital health assessed 24 items using a 4-point Likert scale. Content validity was analyzed using the Item-Level Content Validity Index (I-CVI), Scale-Level CVI (S-CVI/Ave), and Modified Kappa statistics.

Results: I-CVI values ranged from 0.89 to 1.00, while the S-CVI/Ave was 0.96, indicating excellent content validity. Modified Kappa values ranged from 0.83 to 1.00, signifying strong expert agreement. Experts rated the app highly in terms of relevance, clarity, and cultural appropriateness. Suggestions for interface refinement and additional features were integrated into the final version.

Conclusions: The BabyLite application demonstrated strong content validity and represents a promising mHealth intervention for early stimulation among LBW infants in Indonesia. Future studies should evaluate its usability, caregiver engagement, and impact on developmental outcomes through pilot testing and longitudinal assessment.