KUMJ | VOL. 21 | NO. 2 | ISSUE 82 | APRIL - JUNE, 2023
Clinical Profile and Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Patients Presenting with Headache
Ghimire MR, Thapa M, Shrestha AM, Bhattrai S, Ghimire S, Sharma N, Soti B, Ashish Dutta, Shrestha S, Pokharel M, Poudel R, Thapa LJ
Abstract: Background
Headache disorders are among the most prevalent and disabling conditions
worldwide. People, however, do not seek early advice in developing countries.
Objective
To study clinical profile of patients with headache and their existing knowledge,
attitude, and practice regarding primary headaches.
Method
Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 196 patients. Patients were
selected using purposive sampling technique fulfilling inclusion criteria. Patients
were interviewed based on semi-structural headache questionnaire and data was
collected from 4
th
October to 21
st
December 2021. Descriptive statistics was used for
analysis and interpretation.
Result
Among 196 participants, 74% were females, 29.6% of patients were between (31 to
40) years of age. The majority were Hindu and belongs to province 3; 36.7% were
homemakers, and 32.2% were literate. Migraine headache was the most common
type with 14.3% reporting aura. Most reported headache within 1 to 5 years. The
commonest triggers were sunlight 64.8%, crowd 54.7%, stress 39.8%, fasting state
31.7%, cold 26.3%. Almost 39% believed that headache could be a chronic neurologic
disorder. Majority had knowledge of the causes, triggers, and the relieving factors.
Fifty-five percent seek help of a doctor for first time, and the rest seek help of a
pharmacist or self-medication. Only 19% tried to manage the headache triggers;
66.8% felt that lifestyle modification is the best treatment for headache comparing
drugs.
Conclusion
Migraine headache was the commonest headache occurring at middle age group
with sunlight being the most common trigger factor. Lifestyle modification was
perceived to be the best for headache management.
Keyword : Attitude, Clinical profile, Headache, Knowledge, Practice
