Migraine Among University Students: Prevalence, Characteristics, and Sociodemographic Influences.

Background

Migraine is a highly prevalent and disabling neurological disorder among university students that has significant impacts on personal and socioeconomic levels. Despite its impact, migraine remains underdiagnosed and undertreated.

Objective

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of probable migraine among university students in Greece and explore its association with sociodemographic data.

Methods

A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted between September 2023 and January 2024 among university students in Greece using a convenience sampling method. The Headache Screening Questionnaire-English Version (HSQ-EV) was used to screen for probable migraine, along with additional questions assessing demographic characteristics. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were performed.

Results

The prevalence of probable migraine was 20%. Female students were more likely to experience migraine compared to males. Migraine was also statistically significantly associated with marital status and employment status. In a multivariate logistic regression model including sex assigned at birth, age, educational level, marital status, and employment status, older age was independently associated with higher odds of migraine.

Conclusions

Migraine is a prevalent health issue among university students in Greece, with clear gender and sociodemographic associations. Future studies with larger, more representative sample sizes and the use of validated diagnostic tools are needed to understand its determinants and inform targeted interventions.