MIGRAINE AND TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE IN SCHOOLCHILDREN IN WESTERN OF TURKEY

Abstract

This study aims to elucidate the effects of BMI (Body Mass Index), age, gender, personality traits, sleep problems, family history of headache, and hobbies on primary headaches in school children in Mugla. The study also intends to discuss the association of headaches with the courses and tests using monthly follow-up forms. A cross-sectional school-based study was performed on 511 school children (aged 8-15) between January and May 2012 in Mugla. Potential triggering and aggravating demographic and social variables were investigated based on a diagnosis of ICHD-II migraine. The prevalence of recurrent headache was found to be 31.7% in Mugla. Of the studied population, 17.6% had tension-type headache (TTH), 8.84% had migraine, and 5.3% had mixed headache symptoms suggesting both TTH and migraine. Headaches were found to be more common among girls. Using logistic regression analysis, we found that increasing age, increased BMI values, presence of siblings, family history of headache (especially maternal), sensitive personality traits (especially vulnerable children), and sleep problems had a statistically significant effect on headaches in children. Additionally, Mondays and particularly math test dates were found to increase the occurrence on headache in school children. In contrast, hobbies were found not to have any significant effects on headaches. As a common healthcare problem, migraine and TTH are prevalent among school children. Primary headache disorders of school children included family history of headache, personality traits, school life, increased values of BMI, sleep problems, but not hobbies in our study population. Lifestyle-coping strategies are essential for school children.