An. Thomson et al., THE PREVALENCE OF BAD HEADACHES INCLUDING MIGRAINE IN A MULTIETHNIC COMMUNITY, New Zealand medical journal, 106(967), 1993, pp. 477-479
Aim. Overall and ethnic specific prevalences of bad headache including
migraine, for the New Zealand population, are unknown. A study was ca
rried out in South Auckland to estimate prevalence and to explore ethn
ic differences in doctor attendance for the diagnosis and management o
f bad headaches. Methods. Telephone interviews were administered to re
spondents selected by random digit dialling of households. Results. 40
.6% of the respondents suffered from bad headaches. 54.5% of these had
the characteristics of bad headache with features symptomatic of migr
aine. Trends in the prevalence of bad headache with features symptomat
ic of common migraine, peaked between the ages of 30-49 years in both
men and women. A difference was seen in the prevalence of bad headache
with aura, with or without common migraine features, when ethnic grou
ps and gender were examined. The difference in prevalence of aura was
particularly noticeable between Pacific Island men and women. Although
there was no difference between ethnic groups in doctor attendance, h
eadaches were more likely to be labelled as migraine in Europeans than
in the Polynesian groups. Conclusion. Ways in which people perceive a
nd report their bad headaches have a bearing on management by general
practitioners. Although no overall ethnic predominance was seen, there
was a gender difference amongst Pacific Island people in reporting ba
d headaches with aura. The labelling process, and thus the management
by general practitioners does demonstrate likely ethnic differences.