Frequency And Factors Associated With Headache Among People Of Various Occupations

Abstract

Objective: To find out the frequency and factors associated with headache among people of various occupations. Materials andMethods: This cross sectional study with purposive sampling was carried out in four cities, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Rahim Yar Khan andMuzafarabad from June 2011 to September 2011. Data was collected on a specially designed questionnaire with 21 questions both open and closed ended variety. After a written consent 250 individuals working as doctors, engineers, businessmen, bankers, executives, drivers, teachers, armed officers, laborers and household servants aged between 18 and 60 years were enrolled. Individuals suffering from any acute illness like common cold and gastroenteritis etc and chronic debilitating disease like diabetes, cancers were excluded. Results: Two hundred and fifty subjects participated in this study. 82.4 % were males while 17.6% were females. Their age range was 18-60 years Majority of subjects 80.8% were married. Overall frequency of headache was 62.8%. Highest frequency of headache was found in bankers & teachers (80%) and lowest was among doctors (48%).Age, anxiety and work place showed statistically highly significant association with headache. Family history, physical activity, high and low blood pressure and daily working hours were significantly associated with headache. Conclusion: Frequency of headache is found to be high whereas age, family history, physical activity, both high & low blood pressure ,anxiety, daily working hours and work place are found to be associated with headache among people of various professions.