Prevalence of Primary Headache Disorder Among Primary and middle School students in Kuwait.

Abstract Background: Primary headaches are remarkably prevalent worldwide and increasingly reported among children. However, the exact trend in this age group, particularly in the gulf region, remains scarce. Aims and Objectives: To examine the prevalence of primary headache disorders among primary and middle school students in Kuwait.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study that included Kuwaiti primary and middle school children and adolescents of both genders in randomly selected schools located in two governorates in Kuwait in 2018/2019 academic year. Prevalence and attributable burden of headache, definite and probable migraine,definite and probable tension-type headache, chronic headache ≥15 days/month and probable medication over use headache were assessed using the Headache-Attributed Restriction, Disability, Social Handicap and Impaired Participation (HARDSHIP) questionnaire for children and adolescents. Results: Of 1485 questionnaires that were distributed, 1089 students completed the questionnaire with a respondent rate of 73.4%. The study population consisted of 420 boys (38.56%) versus 669 girls (61.43%) students with a mean age of 11.5 ± 2.11 years. The lifetime prevalence of any headache was 85.2%. The one-year prevalence of primary headache disorders was 42.71% with more middle schoolers reporting headaches than primary schoolers (50.37% versus 30,48%; p <0.02). The mean age of students with primary headaches was 11.98 ± 2.03 years in both genders. When stratified according to diagnostic criteria, migraine headaches were the most frequently reported (20.75%) followed by tension type headaches (18.8%), chronic headaches (2.75%), and probable medication-overuse headaches (0.46%.). Primary headaches were more frequently reported in middle school compared to primary school It was significantly higher among girls compared to boys in middle-schoolers (66.46% versus 38.49%; p<0.001), however no significant difference in gender among primary school students(33.12% versus 22.33%; p<0.118). Conclusion: Primary headaches are remarkably common in Kuwaiti school students with migraine headache being the most frequently reported type. Age and female gender pay a role in the development of primary headaches. The results attract attention of health services for those group, the need for further epidemiological researches.