The 'present state' examination and the structured clinical interview in Zulu

The language, cultural and reality factors found to be important in the Zulu translation of the 'present state' examination (PSE) and the structured clinical interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (SCID) are discussed and compared with a previous translation of the PSE in Xhosa. The psychopathological items of the PSE and SCID apply to Zulu-speaking patients and the instruments are valid in this setting.