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Parental Awareness of Headaches Among Elementary School-Aged Children in Makkah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional
Mohammad K Dhafar1, Faris Y Bahakeem1, Anas H Alsehli1
1Department of Medicine and Surgery, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, SAU.
Insights
Parental awareness of childhood headaches in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, is low. Educational initiatives are recommended to improve understanding of pediatric headaches and their management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Neurology
Background:
- Headaches are common in children, categorized as primary or secondary, and can be influenced by various factors.
- Childhood headaches are often overlooked, with a notable gap in parental awareness and understanding.
- This study addresses the prevalence and parental knowledge of headaches in elementary school-aged children in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of headaches among elementary school-aged children in Makkah.
- To assess the level of parental awareness regarding childhood headaches in the same population.
- To identify factors associated with parental knowledge about pediatric headaches.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was conducted using Google Forms in March 2023.
- The survey targeted parents of elementary school-aged children residing in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
- Data from 499 parents (399 mothers, 100 fathers) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- 13.2% of children experienced headaches, with 55.3% reporting occasional occurrences.
- 178 parents sought medical attention for their children's headaches, primarily due to fear.
- Higher education and employment correlated with better parental knowledge of childhood headaches (69.7% and 59.8%, respectively).
Conclusions:
- A significant lack of adequate parental knowledge and awareness regarding childhood headaches was identified in Makkah.
- There is a need for targeted research and educational programs to improve parental understanding of pediatric headaches.
- Enhancing parental comprehension is crucial for timely recognition and appropriate management of headaches in children.
Abstract:
Background Headaches are a prevalent form of pain experienced in the skull, face, and facial structures, categorized into two types: primary and secondary. Primary headaches are more frequently observed in children and can be triggered by sleep disturbances, vision problems, malnutrition, and other medical conditions. Despite their prevalence among children, these headaches often go unrecognized and untreated, and there seems to be insufficient parental awareness regarding childhood headaches. This study aims to determine the prevalence of childhood headaches and assess awareness about this among parents of elementary school-aged children in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to enhance parental understanding of this issue. Methods Data were collected through an online survey created using Google Forms (Google LLC, Mountain View, California, United States), distributed to parents residing in Makkah. The survey was disseminated in March 2023. Results A total of 499 parents completed the study questionnaire, comprising 399 mothers and 100 fathers, with a mean parental age of 37.1 ± 13.9 years. Of the participants, 89.2% were married, 91% were Saudi nationals, and 105 had secondary education. Parents reported that 13.2% of their children complained of headaches, with 55.3% describing them as occasional. Among the respondents, 178 parents sought medical care for their children's headaches primarily out of fear. It was found that 69.7% of parents with higher education had good knowledge regarding childhood headaches, while 59.8% of employed parents had good knowledge compared to 43.8% of others. Conclusion This study revealed a lack of adequate knowledge and awareness among parents regarding headaches in children residing in Makkah. Therefore, we recommend conducting further research and implementing educational initiatives to enhance parental understanding of childhood headaches in Makkah and other regions of Saudi Arabia.
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