title: Migraine: prevalence and associated disability among Nigerian undergraduates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies on migraine in Nigeria are scanty while the disability associated with the disease has not been determined. We aimed at determining the lifetime prevalence of migraine and its associated disability among the students of a Nigerian university.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a multi-stage sampling method, undergraduates of Ambrose Alli University, Nigeria were screened with the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria. Those who satisfied the criteria for migraine were then assessed with the Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire to ascertain the level of disability resulting from migraine in the three months preceding the study. Information was also obtained on the use of preventive and abortive medications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 1513 respondents screened, 145 satisfied the IHS criteria for the diagnosis of migraine giving an overall lifetime prevalence of 9.6% (females 10.3%, males 8.9%, p > 0.05). Migraine associated disability was little or none in 53.1% (males 55.2%, females 51.3%, p > 0.05), mild in 10.3% (males 11.9%, females 9.0%, p > 0.05), moderate in 20.7% (males 20.9%, females 20.5%, p > 0.05) and severe in 15.9% (males 11.9%, females 19.2%, p > 0.05). In spite of the fact that 53 (36.6%) of the migraineurs had moderate-severe disability, only 19/53 (35.8%) reported being on preventive treatment while none had ever used a triptan.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of migraine among our respondents falls within the range reported from similar studies among university students outside Africa. In spite of the high disability associated with the disease, use of effective preventive and abortive therapies is very poor.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Kolawole Wasiu
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Wahab
authors.forename: Asuwemhe Johnson
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ugheoke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D013334:Students
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics