Migraine Headache and Its Related Disability Factors Among University Students in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Headache is a common complaint in medical practice that affects daily activity and quality of life. University students, especially, face psychological and academic stressors that may trigger migraine, leading to functional impairment. This can hinder concentration, studying, and academic performance, resulting in disability, reduced productivity, and absenteeism. Understanding the factors contributing to headache-related disability in Jordanian students is essential for improving mental health and guiding policies to promote academic success and overall well-being.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, features, and determinants of migraine headache-related disability among university students in Jordan.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among university students in Jordan. An online questionnaire was distributed using social media. A convenient sample of students from different universities across geographical areas in Jordan was invited to participate in the study.

Out of 1276 recruited participants, 64.97% of them have a history of headache in the previous 3 months. Of those, 80.22% probably have a diagnosis of migraine headache and 46% of them have an aura. Photophobia was the most common associated symptom (~90%) and sleep disturbance was the most reported factor trigger migraine attacks (83%). Most of the participants (82%) used analgesic medications, mainly OTC drugs (66.8%). Students with severe migraine intensity were more likely to have moderate-severe disability than those with mild/moderate intensity (OR = 1.69, 95 CI% = 1.23-2.34, p value = 0.001). In addition, the presence of an aura was associated with moderate-severe disability (OR = 1.57, 95 CI% = 1.14-2.16, p value = 0.006).

This study highlights the high prevalence of migraine headache among university students in Jordan, with photophobia and sleep disturbances identified as common triggers. The findings suggest that students with severe migraine intensity and those experiencing aura are more likely to face moderate-to-severe disability. The widespread use of analgesic medications, particularly over-the-counter drugs, underscores the need for targeted interventions to manage migraine symptoms and enhance the quality of life for affected students.