title: Headache prevalence and its characterization amongst hospital workers in Enugu, South East Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Headaches are probably the commonest neurological complaint worldwide. Amongst workers it contributes significantly to loss of productive time and work efficiency. It is an important cause of disability and reduced quality of life. The prevalence and pattern amongst health workers in Africa has not been extensively studied.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This epidemiological sampling-based preliminary study examined the frequency and pattern of headache in a population of health workers of a tertiary hospital in Enugu, South East Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study participants, recruited by balloting, completed a self-administered questionnaire to screen for headache and its associations (defined as headache unrelated to fever and experienced within 6 months prior to the date the questionnaire was administered). Data analysis was by SPSS version 16. Ethical approval was obtained from the Hospital Ethical Review Committee.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and thirty-three workers aged 18 - 70 years, were evaluated (males 53.4%, n=71 and females 46.6%, n=62). Headache was experienced by 88% of workers with primary headaches constituting more than 70% of cases. Females were more affected in both instances. Primary and secondary headaches occurred more in younger and older workers respectively and the association was significant (P <0.05). Headaches were not a significant cause of disability and loss of productivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Headaches are very prevalent in hospital workers in Enugu, Nigeria. In older workers screening for underlying causes is indicated. Disability, work absenteeism and loss of productive time are minimal despite the high headache prevalence.
authors.forename: Ikenna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Onwuekwe
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia/Pain & Palliative Care Unit, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, PMB 01129 Enugu, Nigeria. doctortoniaonyeka@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tonia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Onyeka
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aguwa
authors.forename: Birinus
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ezeala-Adikaibe
authors.forename: Oluchi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ekenze
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Onuora
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult