JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Low birth weight (LBW) is an essential indicator of maternal and infant health and is shaped by complex biological, social, behavioural, and structural determinants. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), with a highly diverse population, lacks routine mechanisms to systematically capture these determinants and inform targeted public health interventions. To address this gap, the Maternal and Infant Health Monitoring System was co-designed by governmental, academic, and healthcare partners as the first population-bTo evaluate the feasibility of implementing the monitoring system in Abu Dhabi across seven domains: demand, acceptability, implementation, practicality, adaptation, integration, and expansion potential.ased maternal–infant monitoring initiative in the region.

Objective:

To evaluate the feasibility of implementing the monitoring system in Abu Dhabi across seven domains: demand, acceptability, implementation, practicality, adaptation, integration, and expansion potential.

Methods:

We conducted a mixed-methods feasibility study, adapted from Bowen et al, during Phase One of the system’s implementation across four maternity hospitals in Abu Dhabi. Quantitative indicators included recruitment numbers, response rates, and operational metrics, while qualitative data were drawn from stakeholder consultations, field observation logs, hospital feedback sessions, and post-interview participant feedback.

Results:

Strong feasibility was demonstrated across all seven domains. Demand was high among government partners, hospitals, and mothers, reflecting a shared need for comprehensive maternal–infant data. Acceptability was high, with a response rate of 74% and positive feedback regarding sensitive survey domains. Implementation was successful across different hospital settings, requiring minor site-specific adaptations. Practicality was supported through targeted resource mapping and scheduling strategies. Continuous stakeholder engagement enabled real-time adaptation and facilitated integration within existing hospital workflows. Following the successful recruitment of 722 mothers, stakeholders endorsed a phased expansion strategy.

Conclusions:

Applying the Bowen framework provided a rigorous, multidimensional assessment of feasibility for the monitoring system. Phase One findings confirm that the system is operationally feasible, culturally acceptable, and scalable within the UAE healthcare system. This work establishes a replicable blueprint for implementing stakeholder-driven maternal and infant health monitoring systems in diverse, rapidly developing settings.