Prevalence of migraine headache and effective environmental factors in Kerman a population based survey

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of migraine headache among Kermanian adults [aged >12 years], and analyse variation by age, gender, occupation and educational level. A population-based survey was undertaken using questionnaire interviews with 1,488 adults, who were randomly selected from households across, Kerman by cluster regional sampling. There are questions about frequency and characteristics of headaches experienced and other symptoms in the questionnaire. The diagnostic criteria of the international headache society were used to classify people as migraineurs [with or without aura]. Of 1,488 random selected adults, 427 were headachers and 30 were migraineurs. The prevalence of migraineurs among males was 0.8% and among females was 3.4%. For females, prevalence appears to increase with age, peaking of 26-41 years and declining thereafter. Sex specific prevalence females and males was controlled for age, was significantly lower in males. We found no association between migraine prevalence and educational level or occupation. We found association between migraine prevalence and environmental factors, anxiety, insomnia, light, sound, fatigue, activity, smoking, menstruation, which was significant