Epidemiology and associated factors of migraine headache among iranian medical students: A descriptive-analytical study

Abstract

IntroductionHigh incidence of migraine has caused to categorize it as one of the most debilitating human diseases. This study aims to investigate the incidence of migraine headache and the factors associated with it among medical students. MethodologyThe present research is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. The sample size includes 390 subjects that were selected through proportionate stratified random sampling. To this purpose we used a questionnaire that was designed according to international headache standards criteria. Data was analyzed by SPSS. Accordingly, chi-square, independent t-test, and logistic regression were used for evaluation of clinical data. ResultsIn the finding it was reviled that 318 subjects out of 390 participants in the study had experienced headache (81.53%). In total, 27 subjects (6.9%) were suffering from migraine including 77.8% women and 22.2% men. The most common complication of migraine headache is dizziness by 17.2%. Factors intensifying migraine headaches include stress (63%), sunlight or fluorescent light (55.6%), loud noise (48.1%), fatigue (77.8%), and overheating (51.9%). Conclusionamong the factors affecting the intensification of migraine headaches, stress, sunlight, noise, fatigue, heat, menstruation in women, too much work, late sleep at night and some foods such as fish, caffeine, pepper, fat and fried foods were also identified as the food factors intensifying migraine headaches. Since the students of medical sciences are a part of health care system and such headaches will reduce their efficiency in health care delivery. Socio-economic impact of migraine on quality of life of student considerable and must be emphasized in health-treatment programs and plans.