A community-based prevalence study on headache in Malaysia

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Headache disorders are a significant global health concern.
• Understanding community-specific prevalence and characteristics is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Malaysia's diverse population and tropical climate may influence headache patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the last-year prevalence of different headache types in a Malaysian community.
• To investigate demographic factors, severity, and triggers associated with headaches.
• To provide data for public health strategies concerning headache management.

Main Methods:

• Community-based study utilizing International Headache Society (IHS) diagnostic criteria.
• Data collection on headache type, prevalence, severity, demographics, and triggers.
• Analysis of prevalence across age, sex, race, and urban/rural settings.

Main Results:

• Last-year prevalence: Migraine 9.0%, Tension Headache 26.5% (94.4% episodic), Other headaches 28.2%. No cluster headaches found.
• Migraine and tension headaches more prevalent in females; other types in males. Lower prevalence in <15 and >65 age groups.
• Sun exposure identified as a major trigger (36.6%–55.7% across headache types). No significant differences by race or urban/rural location.

Conclusions:

• Headache prevalence in this Malaysian community is substantial, particularly for migraine and tension-type headaches.
• Demographic factors like age and sex influence headache occurrence, while triggers like sun exposure are common.
• Findings highlight the need for localized headache management strategies, considering environmental factors.