PREVALENCE OF TENSION HEADACHE ASSOCIATED WITH RISK FACTORS AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Background: Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most costly and common form of headache. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of TTH among medical student in Saudi Arabia and identify its risk factors. Methodology: A cross sectional study has been conducted in duration from January to October 2018. Two questionnaires, DASS scale and a self-generated questionnaire including socio- demographic data and other risk factors of tension headache, have been distributed over all medical students in Saudi Arabia, however 70.4% returned completed questionnaires. Results: This study has been conducted over 50 medical students; their mean age was 21.14 + 0.49. History of headache has been reported in 92% of students, however 58% of students had history of tension headache. No Significant differences (p>0.05) have been found between both groups of students with and without history of tension headache regarding 3 components of DASS scale, depression, anxiety, and stress. Students with history of tension headache reported higher percentage of daily mobile use more than 1hour, daily continuous setting on TV more than 3hours, daily continuous setting on computer more than 3hours, visual errors, and chronic sinusitis (41.4% vs. 19%), (20.7% vs. 14.3%), (69% vs. 66.7%), (89.7% vs. 66.7%), and (24.1% vs. 19%), respectively. Conclusion: Headache and TTH were prevalent medical students in Saudi Arabia, however no significant risk factors for TTH have been observed in this study. Keywords: Prevalence, Risk Factors, Tension Headache