MIGRAINE PREVALENCE AND SOME OF ITS REASONS AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OF BOUKAN - 1389

Migraine is a very painful headache and most people affected with it have multiple
attacks of headache for many years. The complications of migraine are associated with missing out on
school and weakening of students’ academic performance. The current study was conducted to
determine the prevalence of migraine and the frequency of some of its triggers in high school students.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was performed in the spring of 2010 on 857 high school
students in Boukan. Cluster sampling was used and the International Headache Society’s questionnaire
and a neurologist’s opinion were used to detect migraine. STATA was used for statistical analysis.
Results: The prevalence of migraine was 4. 78% (12% with aura, and 78% without aura), and the
median duration of attacks was 6 hours. Among the migraine triggers were sleep disorders, being the
most frequent (63%), and the least frequent were intakes of canned foods and pepper (2. 44%).
Conclusions: The 4. 78% prevalence of migraine, its severity (83% have moderate to severe attacks),
and its impact on reducing students’ productivity can highlight the significance of migraine in this age
group. Management of migraine triggers, sleep disorders, avoiding extreme heat and emotional stress
are recommended to reduce migraine attacks and subsequently to reduce the number of hours missed
out in school.