The Prevalence of Migraine Headache and the Health-Seeking Behavior of Medical Undergraduates in Punjab

Abstract

Abstract: Background:  Neurological headaches have been on the rise recently; among these, migraine is the most common. Younger individuals are more prone to this, and it affects their quality of life to a great extent.

Objective: To identify the prevalence, specific characteristics, and relieving factors of migraine as well as the healthcare-seeking practice among undergraduate medical students of Punjab.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted on undergraduate medical students of Punjab from June to September 2021. Convenience sampling was used to select 150 students. A validated questionnaire assessed the prevalence of migraine headaches, symptoms, and relieving factors.

Result: The females reported a higher prevalence, 78.57%, than males. Of all the types observed, 67.74% suffered from migraines, 22% suffered from tension headaches, and 9.8% had cluster and other headaches. The prevalence of headaches was most significant among subjects aged 20 to 2 years (37.93%). The top three symptoms experienced before the start of the migraine were disturbance from lights, disturbance by sound, and mood swings. The top three symptoms experienced during migraine were disturbance from light, difficulty in concentration, and irritation from sound. The top three relieving factors were rest, sleep, quietness, and massage.

Conclusion: Migraine is more prevalent in females than males, especially younger adults. Proper sleep/rest, avoiding stress, noise, regular exercise, and healthy lifestyles can significantly prevent migraine headaches. Disturbance from light was the most common symptom experienced before and during headaches. The most common relievers were rest and sleep.