THE PREVALENCE OF BAD HEADACHES INCLUDING MIGRAINE IN A MULTIETHNIC COMMUNITY

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.