Abstract
To perform criterion validation of the Key Question in Portuguese for screening at-risk alcohol use among users of Primary Healthcare services. This is a psychometric study conducted with users of a Primary Healthcare service located in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Participants responded to the Key Question which was applied in conjunction with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-C for concurrent validation and measurement of psychometric properties. The sample consisted of 518 users. The Key Question presented 59% specificity and 99% sensitivity with respect to the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-C in the general population. The accuracy was 81% in relation to this instrument. There was no influence of sociodemographic variables such as gender on the psychometric properties of the Key Question. The results indicate that the Key Question in Portuguese presented satisfactory psychometric qualities and suggest that its Portuguese version is as efficient for screening at-risk alcohol use as its reference standard, which subsidizes its use in Primary Healthcare.
Highlights
Harmful alcohol consumption as well as its related problems are very prevalent in the Brazilian population(1-2)
Considering that the criterion validity evidence of the Key Question in Portuguese has not yet been tested, this study aims to validate the criteria of the Key Question in Portuguese for screening at-risk alcohol use among users of primary healthcare services
A total of 518 people participated in the study, with a mean age of 44 years (SD ± 15)
Summary
Harmful alcohol consumption as well as its related problems are very prevalent in the Brazilian population(1-2). Research has shown that individuals who drink excessive alcohol tend to use the Primary Healthcare (PHC) services twice more than other people(3). It is estimated that from 7% to 20% of PHC services worldwide are used by those who drink harmful amounts of alcohol(3-4), constituting a considerable percentage that should not be overlooked. It is justified to routinely investigate the alcohol usage pattern in this environment by health professionals in order to provide early detection and timely intervention in this portion of PHC users(4); a measure which is consistent with the primary scope of PHC, prevention and health promotion(5). Scientific evidence shows that screening for at-risk alcohol use followed by timely PHC intervention is effective in reducing the population’s alcohol consumption level(6)
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