The Czech audit: internal consistency, latent structure and identification of risky alcohol consumption

The primary aim of the study is to examine the psychometric properties and the structure of the Czech version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and to estimate the rate of risky, harmful and problematic alcohol consumers.

Two large data sets were analyzed. The first was based on the application of the AUDIT as a part of a general population survey (N = 1.326; age range 18-64), the second represents data gathered by general practitioners (GPs) in the context of a pilot screening and brief advice (SBA) project in the area of Greater Prague (N = 2.589).

Analyses of reliability showed satisfying internal consistency of the AUDIT (Cronbach's alpha = 0.83 for population survey and 0.77 for survey based on SBA). Principal component analyses suggest two factor solutions where one factor represents drinking patterns and the second alcohol-related problems or symptoms of dependence. The principal component analyses of both data sets led to similar factor formation. A total of 19% of the general population sample was classified as risky or harmful drinkers and 2% as problem drinkers. These figures were slightly lower in the sample of patients of general practitioners.

The Czech version of the AUDIT seems to be a plausible screening instrument. The properties of the instrument suggest usefulness of the summary score for identification of the level of risk.