The CIDI is a comprehensive, fully-structured interview designed to be used by trained lay interviewers for the assessment of mental disorders according to the definitions and criteria of ICD and DSM. It is intended for use in epidemiological and cross-cultural studies as well as for clinical and research purposes. The diagnostic section of the interview is based on the World Health Organization's Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WHO CIDI, 1990).

The CIDI allows the investigator to:
• Measure the prevalence of mental disorders
• Measure the severity of these disorders
• Determine the burden of these disorders
• Assess service use
• Assess the use of medications in treating these disorders
• Assess who is treated, who remains

For more information about CIDI see the CIDI website

See also, screening