Year: 2026 | Month: June | Volume: 16 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 10-27
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260602
Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Headache in School Going Children Aged 10-16 Years - A Cross-Sectional Study
Sandhiya Sakthivel1, Thiyagaraajan Visveswaran2, Sathyamoorthy M3, Arun Daniel J4, Thumjaa Annamalai2
1Post Graduate, Department of Paediatrics, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry
3Professor and HOD, Department of Paediatrics, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry.
4Professor and HOD, Department of Community Medicine, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry.
5Professor and HOD, Department of Paediatrics, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry.
Corresponding Author: Sandhiya Sakthivel
ABSTRACT
Background: Headache is one of the most common neurological complaints among school-going children and adolescents and poses a significant public health concern. Recurrent headaches can adversely affect academic performance, school attendance, cognitive functioning, and overall quality of life. Despite its high occurrence, data on prevalence and contributory risk factors among Indian school children remain limited.
Aim: To determine the prevalence of headache among school going children aged 10-16 years.
Materials and method: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,025 students aged 10–16 years in selected schools of Puducherry. Participants were selected using convenience sampling after obtaining parental consent and child assent. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, headache profile, associated symptoms, and lifestyle factors. Headache severity was assessed using the Wong–Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. Associations were evaluated using the Chi-square test, and independent predictors were identified using multivariate logistic regression. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The overall prevalence of headache was 55.9%. Although age and gender alone were not significantly associated with headache, a significant age–gender interaction was observed (p <0.001). Most headaches began between 6 and 9 years of age and were predominantly mild to moderate in intensity. Difficulty in reading the blackboard, reduced outdoor play, short sleep duration, and prolonged mobile phone use were significantly associated with headache. Multivariate analysis identified visual difficulty, reduced physical activity, short sleep duration, and moderate to high mobile phone usage as independent risk factors, while certain parental working patterns showed a protective effect.
Conclusion: Headache is highly prevalent among school-going children and is strongly influenced by modifiable lifestyle and environmental factors. Early screening and preventive strategies focusing on sleep hygiene, visual health, regulated screen time, and physical activity are essential to reduce the burden of headache in this population.
Key words: Headache, School-going children, Prevalence, Risk factors, Lifestyle factors