Prevalence of Headache among students at Kirkuk University

Mustafa Mohammed, Mohammed; Jawdat, Noor; Ahmed, Samira; Nashi, Van; Ramadhan, Ruba

	Prevalence of Headache among students at Kirkuk University
Medical Journal of Tikrit
Article 1, Volume 18, Issue 182, 2012, Pages 242-249
Authors
Mohammed Mustafa Mohammed; Noor Jawdat; Samira Ahmed; Van Nashi; Ruba Ramadhan
Abstract
Background: Headache is the most common reason for seeking medical help. In fact there approximately 13 million visit each year in the United States to physician office, urgent care clinic and emergency department. Migraine affect about one in ten of population at some time of life. Aims: Are to determine the prevalence rate of headache among students at Kirkuk University as defined by International Headache Society (IHS), and to identify symptoms that accompany the attack of headache and the effect of headache on student's college attendance. Subjects and Methods: After taken the agreement of department of community medicine: about 1140 students ( 26% of the total university students),chosen randomly; across-sectional study was done during the academic year (2010-2011).A special questionnaire form designed and consist demographic data questions about headache and associated symptoms and possible effect of headache on university attendance was recorded. Results: About 39.1% of the study sample had headache episodes unrelated to febrile illness in the year preceding the survey. The prevalence of migraine headache as well as non-migraine headache was higher among females than males’ students and also higher among age group 19-21 years. Approximately more than one third of them were absent from the university due to headache. Conclusion: Headache is prevalent among Kirkuk's university students and higher among females and it affects their academic performance.

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