Age and Gender-dependent Correlates as Risk Factors of Recurrent Headache among Bangladeshi Secondary School Children

Magnitude of recurrent headache (RHA) is not well explored among school-children (schoolers) particularly in developing countries like Bangladesh, though recent literature reveals that RHA connotes serious public health implication(s) particularly in schoolers in resource constraint countries. To study age and gender-dependent correlates of RHA among secondary-level schoolers and to determine if these remains its risk-factors. Cross-sectional population based respondent-dependent study employing direct interviews using pre-tested open and closed-ended questionnaire following ICHD-II (2004) diagnostic criteria. Overall, 17% RHA was observed among 1499 schoolers surveyed initially, being more in pubertal/adolescents (13-15 years) than pre-pubertal (11-12 years) ones. Of screened-out 255 RHA positive cases, migraine (MHA) was observed in 55.3% while tension-type-headache (TTH) in 19.6% schoolers. RHA demonstrated a steady-inclining trend with schooler's age. Gender difference was obvious in MHA (p<0.001) but not in TTH (p<0.31). Pubertal schoolers (OR=8.75) and boys (OR=1.8) remained at greater risk for migraine but less risky for TTH. Mass-awareness program is imperative to prevent RHA among schoolers towards progressing it into chronicity, psycho-socially handicapped and economically burdened. Further in-depth studies warrant prudent data to examine its long-term risks/underlying factors involving more diverse population (school-children) from different geographical areas and cultural contexts.