Evaluation of an Amharic version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) in Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract:

The feasibility, reliability , and acceptance of the Amharic version of the CIDI (Composite International Diagnostic Interview) was tested in a patient-population of a psychiatric hospital and an inner-city community sample in Addis Ababa. In the hospital-based study, the CIDI was judged to be acceptable by most clinician and non clinician interviewers. Concerns about it included the length of the interview and difficulties with a few of the items. For specific diagnoses made with frequency of five or more time, percent agreement and kappa ranged from 92.5%-100% and 0.78-1.00, respectively. In the community-based study, a total of 502 individuals selected from Arada district by systematic random sampling were interviewed. Estimates of prevalence for specific diagnoses are comparable with earlier prevalence estimates from Ethiopia. It is concluded that the Amharic version of CIDI is reliable, acceptable, and feasible for use in. mental health studies in Ethiopia. Further studies of parts of the CIDI (especially the sections of organic brain syndrome and use of drug) are recommended. [Ethiop. I. Health Dev. 1996;10(2):69-77]