Background:

Headache is the most frequent neurological symptom; however, in adolescents headaches are often undiagnosed. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of primary headaches among high school children in the city of Zagreb.

Methods:

This was a population-based cross-sectional study conducted in the city of Zagreb. A total of 2100 questionnaires were spread among students in 7 high schools; 2057 questionnaires were suitable for analysis. The questionnaire consisted of demographic data, and questions regarding the presence and clinical characteristics of a headache.

Results:

The mean age of students was 17.2 ± 1.2 years, 50.2% were female. A total of 1300 (63.2%) of students declared that they do not suffer from headaches at all (46.2% female), 620 (30.1%) declared that they suffer from headaches frequently (58.4% female) and 137 (6.7%) occasionally (51.1% female) (Gender distribution, Chi² = 25.18, P < 0.001). A majority of them resides in a city (77.1%), 15.6% in a suburban area and 7.3% in a rural area. The significantly associated risk factors for headache were as follows:

female gender (OR=1.61, P < 0.001) and life satisfaction level (OR for range= 7.73, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The prevalence ofself-reported headache among high school children in Zagreb city is relatively high; significant sex difference was observed. Pain among children and adolescents is an important public health problem.