TITLE:
Headache among Students of the Paramedical Schools of Dapaong, Northern Togo: Prevalence, Clinical Features, and Associated Factors
AUTHORS:
Lehleng Agba, Kokou Mensah Guinhouya, Paulin Soglo, Komla Nyinèvi Anayo, Mawulikplimi Ephoevi-Ga, Kossivi Apetse, Vinyo Kumako, Komi Assogba, Mofou Belo
KEYWORDS:
Headache Disorders, Students, Health Occupations, Anxiety, Stress, HIT-6, Togo
JOURNAL NAME:
Neuroscience and Medicine,
Vol.17 No.4,
October
27,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Headache is a common problem among young adults and a major source of disability. Students in health-related programs are particularly exposed to academic and psychosocial demands that may promote its occurrence and impact. Objective: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of headache among students of the paramedical schools of Dapaong and to identify factors associated with its presence and its substantial impact. Methods: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from January 22 to March 6, 2026, among students of the paramedical schools of Dapaong (Northern Togo). Data were collected through a self-administered electronic questionnaire on KoboToolbox after informed consent. Headache was defined by its presence during the six months preceding the survey, and its typology was assigned algorithmically from self-reported features using operational criteria based on the ICHD-3. Impact was assessed with the HIT-6. Factors associated with the presence of headache and then with its substantial impact were examined using bivariate and multivariate analyses. Analyses were performed with R version 4.5.3. Results: Of the 192 students invited, 118 questionnaires were collected and 117 analyzed. Headache affected 82/117 (70.1%) participants. Among those with headache, tension-type headache was the most frequent category (32/82; 39.0%, 95% CI 28.4 to 50.4); migraine affected 19/82 (23.2%, 95% CI 14.6 to 33.8), corresponding to a prevalence of 16.2% (95% CI 10.1 to 24.2) in the overall sample. Anxiety was independently associated with the presence of headache (aOR 1.66; 95% CI 1.20 - 2.30; p = 0.002). Substantial impact (HIT-6 ≥ 56) affected 40/82 (48.8%, 95% CI 37.6 to 60.1) of participants with headache and was independently associated with pain intensity (aOR 1.53; 95% CI 1.21 - 2.02; p Conclusion: Headache is very common among students of the paramedical schools of Dapaong. Its presence is independently associated with anxiety symptoms, whereas its substantial impact is associated with pain intensity and perceived stress.