Author:
Maiga Youssoufa,Diallo Seybou H.,Sangho Oumar,Moskatel Leon Samuel,Konipo Fatoumata,Bocoum Abdoulaye,Diallo Salimata,Coulibaly Awa,Daou Mariam,Dolo Housseini,Sangaré Modibo,Albakaye Mohamed,Traoré Zoumana,Coulibaly Thomas,Sissoko Adama,Landouré Guida,Guindo Boubacar,Ahamadou Mahamoudou,Toure Mahamane Drahamane,Dembele Abibatou,Sacko Habib,Kadri Sao Cheick Abdoul,Coulibaly Diakalia,Dembele Salimata,Coulibaly Cheick Oumar,Sanogo Mohamadou,Boiguilé Sekou,Nizard Julien,Cowan Robert,Steiner Timothy J.,Husøy and Andreas
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Our recent studies have shown headache disorders to be very common in the central and western sub-Saharan countries of Benin and Cameroon. Here we report headache in nearby Mali, a strife-torn country that differs topographically, culturally, politically and economically. The purposes were to estimate headache-attributed burden and need for headache care.
Methods
We used cluster-random sampling in seven of Mali’s eleven regions to obtain a nationally representative sample. During unannounced household visits by trained interviewers, one randomly selected adult member (18–65 years) from each household was interviewed using the structured HARDSHIP questionnaire, with enquiries into headache in the last year and, additionally, headache yesterday (HY). Headache on ≥ 15 days/month (H15+) was diagnosed as probable medication-overuse headache (pMOH) when associated with acute medication use on ≥ 15 days/month, and as “other H15+” when not. Episodic headache (on < 15 days/month) was recorded as such and not further diagnosed. Burden was assessed as impaired participation (days lost from paid and household work, and from leisure activity). Need for headache care was defined by criteria for expectation of benefit.
Results
Data collection coincided with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The participating proportion was nonetheless extremely high (99.4%). The observed 1-year prevalence of any headache was 90.9%. Age- and gender-adjusted estimates were 86.3% for episodic headache, 1.4% for pMOH and 3.1% for other H15+. HY was reported by 16.8% with a mean duration of 8.7 h. Overall mean headache frequency was 3.5 days/month. Participants with pMOH lost more days from paid (8.8 days/3 months) and household work (10.3 days/3 months) than those with other H15+ (3.1 and 2.8 days/3 months) or episodic headache (1.2 and 0.9 days/3 months). At population level, 3.6–5.8% of all time was spent with headache, which led to a 3.6% decrease in all activity (impaired participation). Almost a quarter (23.4%) of Mali’s adult population need headache care.
Conclusion
Headache is very common in Mali, as in its near neighbours, Benin and Cameroon, and associated with substantial losses of health and productivity. Need for headache care is high – a challenge for a low-income country – but lost productivity probably translates into lost gross domestic product.
Funder
NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC