Impact of Chronic Headache (Migraine) on Daily Activity of Adult Patients in Baghdad City

Abstract

Objectives: The study aims to assess the impact of (migraine) on the daily activity of patients with migraine at primary health care centers in Baghdad city, and to find out the relationship between their demographic characteristics which as age, sex, occupation, family history .

Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted to assess the impact of (migraine) on the daily activity of adult patients in primary health care centers in Baghdad city. The study was conducted in 1st September, 2012 to March 18th, 2013. The study sample included 100 patients were collected of four centers of primary health care in Baghdad city. The data was collected through the use of constructed questionnaire, which consists of two parts. Part I : deals the socio-demographic characteristics which as 6 items: gender, age, marital status, occupation, using of drugs and duration of headache attack. Part II: quality of life questionnaire assessment tool was used to measure the extent to which chronic headache are affecting the ability to function.

Results: The results showed that more than half of those study males (60%), while their age for more than one-third of the sample ranged between 20-30 years (38%). More than half of them are married (58%). The study also showed that nearly half of the study sample was employed (56%), while the use of the vast majority of the study sample use medications (90%).

Conclusions: Most of the affected by headache were males, greatest of clients who suffer of chronic headache was using medications. Majority of the patients have headache attack lasted less than one day.

Recommendations: The study recommended the need to conduct regular monitoring of chronic headache in order to help to reduce the problems and complications that can arise as a result of a headache, and there will be a need to the implementation of educational programs for the diagnosis of headaches and how to treat.