Prevalences of Migraine and Tension-type Headache in Adolescent Girls of Shiraz (southern Iran)

Objective: To determine the prevalences of migraine and tension-type headache in teenaged girls attending schools in Shiraz (southern Iran).

Background: Studies of headache prevalence are numerous, and findings have varied according to the specific population and region involved. No data are available regarding headache prevalence among Iranian teenagers.

Methods: A random sample of 1868 teenaged girls (aged 11 to 18 years) was evaluated, and 507 subjects reported headache. The headache disorders were classified on the basis of a clinical interview, general physical and neurologic examinations, and the diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society. Logistic regression was used for data analysis.

Results: Overall prevalence rate for migraine was 6.1% (95% CI, 5.0 to 7.2) and for tension-type headache, 12.1% (95% CI, 10.6 to 13.6). Migraine and tension-type headache were significantly associated.

Conclusions: It is concluded that exposition of subjects to sunlight, type of food, and a family history of headache had most significant effects on occurrence of migraine and tension-type headaches.