Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to explore the spectrum of causes and clinical aspects of headaches in primary healthcare clinics. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient clinics of two general hospitals. The convenience sampling technique was used to conduct the study from March 2022 to December 2023. Consultants at the outpatient clinics in the two hospitals examined all subjects. Results: Out of a total of 2,501 outpatient visits, 308 (12.3%) had headaches. Headache was common among those aged 20 years or over (65%). Almost half of the headache cases (46%) were due to disorders in the cranium, face, or neck. Headaches attributed to disorder of homeostasis (12%), and headache due to infection (10%), were second in frequency. Tension-type headache (TTH) accounted for 8.1%, while migraine headache was found in 5% of the cases. Pain in the head was the most common presenting symptom (58%), followed by fever, sore throat, and cough. Headache was similar in males and females. A large proportion of patients with headaches (44%) needed investigations to conclude the diagnosis. The majority of patients with fever were prescribed antimicrobial treatment, acetaminophen, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Only 6.6% needed admission to the hospital for further care or referral to a higher level (1.3%). Counseling about the disease was almost neglected (0.3%). Conclusion: Headache was a common presenting symptom among outpatient visits. TTH and migraine were the most common causes of headache. Primary healthcare physicians should pay more effort to educate the people about prevention and control of headaches.
Published Version
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