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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDThe journal of headache and pain

Prevalence and characteristics of headache among medical students in Abidjan: a cross-sectional study.

  • Cédric A Agbo-Panzo1,2
  • Cédric Kadjo3,4
  • Fiacre Offoumou3,4
  • Nancy Essoin-De Souza5,4
  • Muriel Amon-Tanoh3,4
  • Arlette Aka3,4
  • Axel Toa3,4
  • Latif Ajagbé3,4
  • Davide Baugnan3,4
  • Constance Yapo3,4
  • Christian Tanoh3,4
  • Evelyne Aka3,4
5 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Cocody/Abidjan, V13, Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire. [email protected].
  2. 2Faculty of Medical Sciences, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, V166, Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire. [email protected].
  3. 3Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Cocody/Abidjan, V13, Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire.
  4. 4Faculty of Medical Sciences, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, V166, Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire.
  5. 5Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Treichville/Abidjan, V03, Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire.
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Abstract

Background

Headache disorders are among the most common neurological complaints worldwide, particularly among medical students who are exposed to high academic stress. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and clinical characteristics of headaches among medical students in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May 2025 among 506 medical students at Félix Houphouët-Boigny University in Abidjan (response rate: 25.0%). Data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire (Google Forms), which included sections on sociodemographic characteristics, headache frequency and duration, headache types classified according to ICHD-3 criteria, triggering factors, and associated symptoms. Multiple responses were allowed for triggering factors.Results

Among the 506 participants, 269 (53.2%) were female, with a mean age of 22 years (range: 16-33 years). Headaches were reported by 493 students (97.4%). Tension-type headaches were the most frequent (55.0%), followed by migraine (30.0%) and secondary headaches (15.0%). The distribution of headache phenotypes differed significantly according to sex (χ² = 21.9, df = 2, p < 0.001). Secondary headaches were mainly self-reported as related to dental, sinus, ENT disorders, or malaria. Tension-type headaches were predominantly bilateral (52.6%), whereas migraine was more often unilateral (33.7%). The mean frequency of headache episodes was 3.46 per month and 9.56 over six months, indicating a mostly episodic course. The main triggering factors included lack of sleep (91.5%), prolonged screen exposure (52.4%), and stress (50.6%). Multiple responses were allowed for triggering factors.Conclusion

Headaches are highly prevalent among medical students in Abidjan, predominantly tension-type. Lifestyle and academic-related stress are major contributors, highlighting the need for preventive strategies and health education in university settings.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{agbopanzo2026prevalence,
  title = {{Prevalence and characteristics of headache among medical students in Abidjan: a cross-sectional study.}},
  author = {Cédric A Agbo-Panzo and Cédric Kadjo and Fiacre Offoumou and Nancy Essoin-De Souza and Muriel Amon-Tanoh and Arlette Aka and Axel Toa and Latif Ajagbé and Davide Baugnan and Constance Yapo and Christian Tanoh and Evelyne Aka},
  journal = {The journal of headache and pain},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1186/s10194-026-02477-x},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958006},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Prevalence and characteristics of headache among medical students in Abidjan: a cross-sectional study.
AU  - Cédric A Agbo-Panzo
AU  - Cédric Kadjo
AU  - Fiacre Offoumou
AU  - Nancy Essoin-De Souza
AU  - Muriel Amon-Tanoh
AU  - Arlette Aka
AU  - Axel Toa
AU  - Latif Ajagbé
AU  - Davide Baugnan
AU  - Constance Yapo
AU  - Christian Tanoh
AU  - Evelyne Aka
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/03
JO  - The journal of headache and pain
DO  - 10.1186/s10194-026-02477-x
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958006
AB  - Background  Headache disorders are among the most common neurological complaints worldwide, particularly among medical students who are exposed to high academic stress. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and clinical characteristics of headaches among medical students in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.Methods  A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May 2025 among 506 medical students at Félix Houphouët-Boigny University in Abidjan (response rate: 25.0%). Data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire (Google Forms), which included sections on sociodemographic characteristics, headache frequency and duration, headache types classified according to ICHD-3 criteria, triggering factors, and associated symptoms. Multiple responses were allowed for triggering factors.Results  Among the 506 participants, 269 (53.2%) were female, with a mean age of 22 years (range: 16-33 years). Headaches were reported by 493 students (97.4%). Tension-type headaches were the most frequent (55.0%), followed by migraine (30.0%) and secondary headaches (15.0%). The distribution of headache phenotypes differed significantly according to sex (χ² = 21.9, df = 2, p < 0.001). Secondary headaches were mainly self-reported as related to dental, sinus, ENT disorders, or malaria. Tension-type headaches were predominantly bilateral (52.6%), whereas migraine was more often unilateral (33.7%). The mean frequency of headache episodes was 3.46 per month and 9.56 over six months, indicating a mostly episodic course. The main triggering factors included lack of sleep (91.5%), prolonged screen exposure (52.4%), and stress (50.6%). Multiple responses were allowed for triggering factors.Conclusion  Headaches are highly prevalent among medical students in Abidjan, predominantly tension-type. Lifestyle and academic-related stress are major contributors, highlighting the need for preventive strategies and health education in university settings.
SN  - 1129-2369
SN  - 1129-2377
ER  -