Headache prevalence and its characterization amongst hospital workers in Enugu, South East Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundHeadaches are probably the commonest neurological complaint worldwide. Amongst workers it contributes significantly to loss of productive time and work efficiency. It is an important cause of disability and reduced quality of life. The prevalence and pattern amongst health workers in Africa has not been extensively studied.ObjectiveThis epidemiological sampling-based preliminary study examined the frequency and pattern of headache in a population of health workers of a tertiary hospital in Enugu, South East Nigeria.MethodsStudy participants, recruited by balloting, completed a self-administered questionnaire to screen for headache and its associations (defined as headache unrelated to fever and experienced within 6 months prior to the date the questionnaire was administered). Data analysis was by SPSS version 16. Ethical approval was obtained from the Hospital Ethical Review Committee.ResultsOne hundred and thirty-three workers aged 18 – 70 years, were evaluated (males 53.4%, n = 71 and females 46.6%, n = 62). Headache was experienced by 88% of workers with primary headaches constituting more than 70% of cases. Females were more affected in both instances. Primary and secondary headaches occurred more in younger and older workers respectively and the association was significant (P <0.05). Headaches were not a significant cause of disability and loss of productivity.ConclusionHeadaches are very prevalent in hospital workers in Enugu, Nigeria. In older workers screening for underlying causes is indicated. Disability, work absenteeism and loss of productive time are minimal despite the high headache prevalence.

Management of headache and associated factors among undergraduate medicine and health science students of University of Gondar, North West Ethiopia

“…In the student population of this study the life time prevalence of headache was 81.11 % which is close to a community based report from Addis Ababa (83.1 %) [ 27 ] and Singapore (82.7 %) [ 28 ]. But the prevalence of headache in this study is higher than a report from undergraduate student headache prevalence of Southern Brazil 74.5 % [ 29 ] and lower than other reports from Brazil [ 30 , 31 ] and Nigeria 88 % [ 32 ]. The last 1 year prevalence of headache in our study population was 67.22 % and this is still closer to the report from Addis Ababa (67.5 %) [ 27 ] and lower than the report from Brazil which was 91 % and the discrepancy might be due to methodological, study population or real difference [ 30 ].…”

The challenge of managing headache disorders in a tertiary referral neurology clinic in Rwanda

“…As reported in previous almost all studies13-15 female predominance is seen in our study (female/male ratio 195/92=2, 1). The influence of oestrogens and progesterone on headaches after menarche and the greater propensity for females to seek medical attention for headaches are the most evocated reasons to explain this higher female prevalence 16…”

Prevalence and risk factors associated with headache amongst medical staff in South China

“…We found that the 1-year prevalence of primary headache disorders among medical staff in Sanya, South China, was 50% (migraine: 25.9%; TTH: 24.1%), which was significantly higher than the 23.8% (migraine: 9.3%; TTH: 10.8%) obtained in a populationbased study in mainland China [3]. The prevalence rate of hospital workers in previous literature was high, as Sokolovic reported a 3-month prevalence of 61% [24], and Onwuekwe showed that the half-year prevalence was more than 70% [25]. There are two possible reasons for the difference.…”