Abstract
Background: Headaches, a common yet complex neurological disorder, significantly impact the quality of life for millions worldwide. They are a prevalent concern among medical students, often exacerbated by their rigorous training. This study aims to explore the prevalence frequency, etiology, and effects of different types of headaches in medical students to enhance well-being and productivity.
Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study on medical students in Rawalpindi, Pakistan from May 2024 to October 2024 The study was based on ICHD-3 criteria. Responses were analyzed using SPSS. A P-value < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Seventy-nine (34.1%) of the 232 participants reported migraines, 63 (27.2%) reported tension-type headaches, 4 (1.7%) reported unclassified headaches, and 86 (37.1%) reported no headaches at all. The most common triggers were lack of sleep (77.6%) and stress (73.1%). Both types of headaches are more prevalent in females (migraine = 41%, TTH = 25%) than in males (migraine = 25%, TTH = 18%). Migraine is more life-debilitating (89.9%) compared to TTH (61%).
Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the prevalence of migraine is higher and the prevalence of TTH is lower among medical students in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, compared to studies in other countries. Females reported a higher prevalence of both types of headaches. Additionally, a higher number of students in the first and final years suffer from migraines compared to students in other years. The study also showed that lack of sleep and stress are the main triggers, followed by menstruation, noise, gadget usage, and strong odors, strongly affecting students' ability to study and enjoy life.