Journal Article

Validity and reliability of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview in Sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-country comparison study

Kutessa, Hillary, Sharma, Manasi, Mountcastle, Hayden, Omari, Felitcita, Kariuki, Symon, Koenen, Karestan C., Ametaj, Amantia, Yared, Mahlet, Solomon, Teferra, Girma, Engida, Zingela, Zukiswa, Stein, Dan J., Mmochi, Jackline, Akena, Dickens, Naisanga, Molly, Newton, Charles R. J. C., Nakuya, Harriet, Jaguga, Florence, Amare, Beakal, Gelaye, Bizu, Hook, Kimberly, Milkias, Barkot, Birhanu, Ribka, Stroud, Rocky, Kwagala, Claire, Atwoli, Lukoye, Alemayehu, Biruh, Alemu, Azeb Asaminew, Korte, Kristina J., Guma, Edgar

2025

Overview

Diagnostic tools, such as the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) 7.0.2 and the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-5 (SCID), aim to increase the validity and reliability of diagnostic assessment. However, these tools were created in high-income countries (HICs) with limited investigation of the psychometrics of these tools when used in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Thus, there is a need to examine the psychometric properties of these measures in LMICs. The present investigation aimed to examine the use of the MINI in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. A multicountry comparison of the validity and reliability of the MINI was conducted in a study of 954 participants (  = 667 cases;  = 287 controls) with and without a psychotic spectrum disorder, defined as any psychotic or bipolar spectrum disorder for the NeuroGAP - Psychosis study. Test-retest reliability of the MINI was examined in a subset of 303 participants (  = 164 cases;  = 139 controls) from the overall sample. Results revealed the MINI and SCID provided excellent diagnostic accuracy with area under the curve (AUC) values of .91 (  = .01) for the MINI and .95 (  = .01) for the SCID. Positive predictive values (PPV) were the highest for the SCID (93.8%) and slightly lower for the MINI (88.7%). Reliability analyses revealed substantial agreement for psychotic and bipolar diagnostic groups. Similar patterns of results were observed at the country level with a few notable differences. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Subject: Adolescent / Adult / Africa South of the Sahara / Bipolar disorder / Bipolar Disorder - diagnosis / Clinical interviews / Consent / Cross-Cultural Comparison / Diagnostic tests / Ethiopia / Female / Humans / Interview, Psychological - methods / Interview, Psychological - standards / Interviews / Kenya / Low income groups / Male / Mental disorders / Mental health / Middle Aged / Original / Original Article / Property / Psychiatric Status Rating Scales - standards / Psychiatry / Psychometrics - instrumentation / Psychosis / Psychotic Disorders - diagnosis / Quantitative psychology / Questionnaires / Reliability / Reproducibility of Results / Test validity and reliability / Uganda / Validity / Young Adult