The burden of headache disorders among medical students in Vietnam: estimates from a cross-sectional study with a health-care needs assessment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In our previous study, we demonstrated that headaches are highly prevalent among medical students in Vietnam. In the present study, we provide estimates of the associated symptom burden and impaired participation, utilizing these estimates to assess headache-related healthcare needs within this population.
METHODS: The study followed the standardized methodology established by the Global Campaign against Headache. Participants included medical students who were randomly selected from two medical universities in Vietnam. Data collection utilized the HARDSHIP questionnaire, which included diagnostic questions based on ICHD-3 criteria, measures of symptom burden, quality of life (QoL) assessments using the WHOQoL-8, evaluations of impaired participation through the HALT index, and questions about headache yesterday (HY). The definition of health care "need" was based on the likelihood of benefit from intervention, including all participants with probable medication-overuse headache (pMOH), other headaches occurring on ≥ 15 days/month (H15+), migraine on ≥ 3 days/month, or migraine or tension-type headache (TTH) meeting at least one of two criteria related to symptom burden and impaired participation.
RESULTS: A total of 1,362 participants (57.3% female) were included, of whom 1,125 students (61.3% female) were diagnosed with a headache disorder, and 165 students (69.1% female) reported experiencing a HY. The mean frequency of any headache was 3.6 days per month,…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 1,362 participants or records.
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