Frequency of migraine and its association with physical activity in University students of Islamabad and Rawalpindi

Abstract

Background: Migraine is a primary headache disorder with a worldwide prevalence rate of 14.7%. The person might feel moderate or severe intensity pain that is pulsating in nature, usually on one side and it is aggravated by routine physical activity, with duration of hours to days.

Objective: To determine the frequency of migraine among university students and determine their level of physical activity and to find out the association between migraine and physical activity.

Methodology: This cross-sectional survey was conducted, in university students of twin cities of Pakistan (Rawalpindi and Islamabad) from February 2021 to July 2021. A total of 377 participants of either gender were selected through non probability convenient sampling technique on the basis of inclusion criteria of age 18-25 years. Participants with any diagnosed medical health problem, cervicogenic headache, and musculoskeletal disorders were excluded from the study. A self-structured questionnaire was used to obtain demographics; two standard questionnaires; Migraine screening questionnaire and Activity Questionnaire for Adults and Adolescents were used to identify the prevalence of migraine and level of physical activity of the participants. Data was analyzed by using SPSS software version 26.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.10± 1.96. Out of 377 participants, 78 (20.7%) were males and 299 (79.3%) were females. The overall prevalence of migraine was 34% and 41% of participants reported to be involved in light intensity physical activity. A significant association was found between migraine and physical activity with p value < 0.01.

Conclusion: The study results conclude that frequency of migraine is low among university students and majority of the participants are found to have a sedentary lifestyle. Association is found between migraine and physical activity.