An epidemiological study of migraine headaches among the staff of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran, and related factors

IntroductionMigraine, as one of the most common types of disability, has a high prevalence with significant effects on a persons living conditions. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and evaluate the clinical characteristics of migraine patients in Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan. MethodThis study was performed cross-sectionally. All hospital staff (1125 people) were studied in 2019. Based on a designed questionnaire, the prevalence of migraine headaches and their relationship with occupations, marital status, age, gender, work shift, hours of sleep per day, as well as accompanying symptoms, were analyzed using analytic software. ResultsThe prevalence of migraine among hospital staff was 12.3% (n=136), and nurses with 14.5% had the highest majority, and faculty members with 9.7% had the lowest prevalence (15.5% in females and 8.5% in males). 89.7% of people had unilateral headache. The maximum number of migraine attacks per month was five (32.23%), and the most common associated symptoms were anorexia(p-value=0.048), nausea(p-value=0.003), and vomiting(p-value=0.97), respectively. There was a significant relationship between migraine with sleep hours per day(p-value=0.012), age(p-value=0.035), and marital status (p-vaue=0.001). Conclusionfindings relating to severe headaches and subsequent loss of work are important in realizing the social impact of this condition and the need for prevention and treatment strategies. In other words, primary prevention, diagnosis, and treatment should receive more attention.