Primary Headache Disorders at a Tertiary Health Facility in Lagos, Nigeria: Prevalence and Consultation Patterns

Olajumoke Oshinaike,Olaitan Ojelabi,Njideka Okubadejo,Akinola Dada,Oluwadamilola Ojo

doi:10.1155/2014/782915

Olajumoke Oshinaike, Olaitan Ojelabi + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/782915

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Abstract

Background. Primary headaches are underdiagnosed and undertreated, with a significant impact on social activities and work. Aim. To determine the last-year prevalence and health care utilization pattern of primary headaches at a tertiary centre. Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out amongst staff of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. 402 staff members were selected by simple random sampling and administered a detailed structured headache assessment questionnaire. Migraine and tension-type headache were diagnosed according to the criteria of the International Headache Society (2004). Results. The participants comprised 168 males and 234 females. The mean age was 36.9 ± 7.9 years. The overall headache prevalence was 39.3% with female predominance (P < 0.0001). Tension-type headache was the most prevalent at 72.8% and migraine at 18.9%. Unclassifiable headache constituted 8.2%. Migraine headache showed female preponderance (P = 0.000). 80.4% of participants did not seek medical consultation compared with 19.6% who did (P = 0.000). Of the latter, 83.9% consulted the general practitioner (GP), whilst 16.1% consulted the neurologist. Conclusions. Primary headache prevalence is high in our population. It is not recognised as that requiring care by most of the staff of this tertiary health facility; thus education is required to increase health care utilization.

Highlights

Headache is one of the most common neurological disorders [1] and accounts for multiple visits to the general physician and neurologist
The 1-year prevalence of headache documented in rural south Tanzania was 23.1% [8], whilst in Ethiopia the 1year prevalence of migraine was 3% (4.2% females and 1.7% males) with a peak age specific rate in the fourth decade [9]
In comparison with studies conducted in working populations, Quesada-Vazquez and Rodrıguez-Santanain Zimbabwe [19] had reported an overall headache prevalence of 37.1% which is similar to our finding of 39.3%

Summary

Introduction

Headache is one of the most common neurological disorders [1] and accounts for multiple visits to the general physician and neurologist. Migraine and tension-type headache are the most prevalent primary headache disorders. The current global prevalence of primary headache is 47%; migraine headache, 10%; tension-type headache, 38%; and chronic daily headache, 3% [4]. The lifetime prevalence rates are higher: in men, 93% for headache of any kind, 8% for migraine, and 69% for tension-type headache. Lifetime prevalence is 99% for headache of any kind, 25% for migraine, and 88% for tension-type headache [7]. Osuntokun et al [10] in Nigeria documented the crude prevalence ratio of migraine headache to be 5.3 per 100 (5 per 100 in males and 5.6 per 100 in females). Aim. To determine the last-year prevalence and health care utilization pattern of primary headaches at a tertiary centre. It is not recognised as that requiring care by most of the staff of this tertiary health facility; education is required to increase health care utilization

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