Prevalence of migraine and tension-type headache among adults in Jordan

J Headache Pain. 2009 Aug;10(4):265-70. doi: 10.1007/s10194-009-0122-6. Epub 2009 Apr 23.

Abstract

Here, we investigated the prevalence of headache among adults in Jordan. The study was conducted from January 2007 to November 2008. A sample of 4,836 participants were permitted to complete a self-conducted screening questionnaire. As much as 82.3% of participants complained from headache at least once per year. 36.1% were tension-type headache and 59% of the participants had other family members who suffered from headache. Headaches affected everyday activities in 51.6% of the participants; 82.7% of participants did not seek medical attention for their headaches. Among those who used analgesics (75.6%), acetaminophen was the most common (91.43%). In conclusion, headache and overuse of analgesics were prevalent in a significant part of the society. Thus, there is a need to educate the public to ensure safe practices and to make the use and selling of analgesics more stringent.

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / therapeutic use
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Jordan / epidemiology
  • Legislation, Drug / standards
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Migraine Disorders / drug therapy
  • Migraine Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Patient Education as Topic / standards
  • Prevalence
  • Self Medication / standards
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tension-Type Headache / drug therapy
  • Tension-Type Headache / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Acetaminophen