Headaches in consultation in the workplace in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso): impact on the quality of life and the patient’s professional performance

Abstract

Objective: Headaches are a real public health problem. This study describes the impact of headaches on quality of life and job performance in a working population in Ouagadougou.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study from April to June 2011, conducted in six workplaces in the city of Ouagadougou and covering 110 workers. Workers with any headaches who consulted in health centers of workers during the study period were interested. The epidemiology, clinical aspect and impact of headaches were assessed using HIT-6 questionnaire and MIDAS test.

Results: The prevalence of headaches was estimated at 8%. The average age was 38.5 years old. By correlating the total number of workers in society by gender and the number of patient who consulted for headaches, we found 8% of females against 7% for males. Seen the profile of different companies, headaches were found mainly among laborers (67.3%). Following the history and clinical examination of patients, the prevalence of primary headaches was 83.6% against 16.4% for secondary headaches. Headaches with most significant impact on daily life were observed respectively for 17.3% and 31.8% in the HIT-6 test. Grade III and IV of disability were recorded respectively for 21.8% and 9.1% in the MIDAS test. The correlation between the functional disability associated with headaches and the professional category found moderate and severe disability respectively for 54.1% and 70% of laborers while no senior executive had moderate or severe functional disability. The correlation between the impact of headaches on the activities of daily life and the professional category found substantial and severe impact respectively for 78.9% and 57.2% of laborers while 5.7% of senior executives had a severe impact. the correlation between functional disability related to headaches and the gender found 10,5% of severe disability for women and 8.8% for men. The correlation between the impact of headaches on daily life and the gender found 42.1 of severe impact for women and 29.7% for men.

Conclusion: Headaches impose a heavy burden in the workplace especially for women and laborers. Their adequate care will improve the quality of life of workers with headaches for better work performance.

Keywords: Headaches, Impact, Quality of Life, Performance, Workplace, Burkina Faso