Increased screen time and its association to migraine and tension-type headache: a cross-sectional investigation among Bangladeshi students

Simanta Roy; Mohammad Azmain Iktidar; Sreshtha Chowdhury; Orindom Shing Pulock; Susmita Dey Pinky; Azaz Bin Sharif

doi:10.1136/bmjno-2024-000656

Increased screen time and its association to migraine and tension-type headache: a cross-sectional investigation among Bangladeshi students

BMJ Neurol Open. 2024 May 8;6(1):e000656. doi: 10.1136/bmjno-2024-000656. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Simanta Roy^{1

2}, Mohammad Azmain Iktidar^{1

2

3}, Sreshtha Chowdhury^{1

2}, Orindom Shing Pulock⁴, Susmita Dey Pinky⁴, Azaz Bin Sharif¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public Health, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
² School of Research, Chattogram, Bangladesh.
³ Directorate General of Health Services, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
⁴ Chattogram Medical College Hospital, Chattogram, Bangladesh.

Abstract

Background: Increasing prevalence of screens among young people is a notable characteristic of the modern digital era. The study aimed to explore the prevalence and associated factors of migraine headache (MH) and tension-type headache (TTH) among Bangladeshi students continuing online education.

Methods: A total of 771 students were selected conveniently and using the quota sampling method. A pretested semistructured and self-administered questionnaire containing the background information, Headache Screening Questionnaire-English Version, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale and Insomnia Severity Index was used for data collection. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between different headaches and screen use.

Results: The prevalence of MH, TTH and mixed headache (both MH and TTH) in the study population was 26.07%, 47.08% and 14.75%, respectively. Longer duration of online study (>12 months, adjusted ORs (AORs): 2.83, 95% CI 0 1.00 to 8.00), history of eye problem (AOR: 1.48, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.17), insomnia (AOR: 1.53, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.33) and moderate-to-severe depression (AOR: 2.35, 95% CI 1.55 to 3.56) were significantly associated with migraine headache. Conversely, longer duration of online study (>12 months, AOR: 2.87, 95% CI 1.40 to 5.86), moderate-to-severe depression (AOR=1.47, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.10) and use of multiple devices (AOR<1) for online study were significantly associated with TTH. In addition, longer duration of screen exposure (for >12 months, AOR: 4.56, 95% CI 0.99 to 20.93), moderate-to-severe depression (AOR: 2.25, 95% CI 1.37 to 3.72) and family history of headache (AOR: 2.66, 95% CI 1.65 to 4.29) were associated with mixed headache.

Conclusion: Considering the current prevalence of TTH and MH among students and their relationship with screentime, providing health education on the proper use of electronic devices can be a promising strategy in mitigating the negative consequences.

Keywords: HEADACHE; MIGRAINE.