Validity of a brief screening instrument-CRAFFT in a multiethnic Asian population.
OBJECTIVE
To validate the CRAFFT screening test, against the DSM IV Axis 1-based diagnostic inventory in a population of adolescents and young adult males in Singapore.


METHODS
The 23,248 participants belonged to a cohort of males who had undergone a medical examination prior to enlistment for military service. This study took place between August 2004 and August 2005. Subjects underwent a two-stage assessment and were administered the CRAFFT questionnaire and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI).


RESULTS
The mean age of the subjects was 19 years (range, 16 to 26 years). The CRAFFT showed moderately high levels of internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.73). The optimum cutoff point for drug-related disorder either abuse or dependence and alcohol-related disorder either abuse or dependence criterions were found at CRAFFT score of 1 or higher.


CONCLUSIONS
The CRAFFT test is a valid means of screening adolescents for substance-related disorders in a multiethnic population of adolescent and young adult males.
Subramaniam
Mythily
M
Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore. Mythily@imh.com.sg
Cheok
Christopher
C
Verma
Swapna
S
Wong
John
J
Chong
Siow Ann
SA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult