Criterion-related validity of screening for exposure to torture

Using an in-depth psychological assessment as reference, the aim of the study was to validate adult Middle Eastern refugees' own testimonies of their possible previous exposure to torture. The study group comprised 31 male and 43 female refugees, who accepted participation in a structured interview with closed questions and a following blinded in-depth psychological interview. According to the psychological interview, 30% (55% of males, 12% of females) had been exposed to torture. The sensitivity and the specificity of the structured interview in identifying previous torture was 82% and 92%, respectively, without significant differences concerning the refugee's gender. It is concluded that refugees' own testimonies of torture appear fairly valid. This enables anamnestic torture prevalence estimation in refugee groups, based on pre-structured interview techniques. Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims (RCT), Copenhagen, and Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, Aarhus University.