The prevalence of primary headache and its association with socioeconomic factors among school children in Lithuania

Objective

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of headache among children in Lithuania in 2010 and describe the association between headache and socio-economic factors. This study was a part of the Cross-National Survey on Health Behaviour in School-aged Children – World Health Organization Collaborative Study (HBSC).

Methods

The research was carried out according to the methodology of the HBSC study using the anonymous standardized questionnaire. In total, 5,323 students (2, 740 (51.5 %) boys and 2,583 (48.5 %) girls aged 11, 13 and 15 years from Lithuania were surveyed in the 2010 school-year.

Results

The total prevalence of frequent headache (at least once a week) among children 11, 13 and 15 years of age was 33,7% 31,9% and 34,4% , respectively. Pain was most frequent among older girls (13 and 15 years of age ) (χ2 = 43,529 ; df = 2; p< 0.005). The headache prevalence was slightly higher in low-income families and divorsed or one parent families compared to those of high status and two parent families. Multivariate analysis revealed that having a good relationship with parents and peers, associated with less headache cases.

Conclusion

Headache is more common among children with lower socioeconomic groups. Social causation can play a role in the pathogenesis of headache and should be considered by health promoters.