The Prevalence of Migraine and Probable Migraine in a Brazilian Favela: Results of a Community Survey

Abstract

Objectives.-The objectives of the present study were to estimate the 1-year prevalence of primary headaches and the role of select socio-demographic aspects in a representative sample of adults living in a Brazilian shanty town.Background.-Some socio-demographic factors, such as marital status, income, education, and job status have been described in studies with contentious results. Nevertheless, few studies have assessed the prevalence of headache and the role of socio-demographic aspects in very low-income communities.Methods.-A cross-sectional, population-based study was undertaken. Door-to-door interviews with 383 people were conducted. Individuals were aged greater than 18 years, randomly selected from the "Paraisopolis" shanty town in São Paulo, Brazil. The degree of the association was calculated through prevalence ratios and adjusted with backward logistic regression by gender, age, and some socio-demographic factors, including living conditions.Results.-The estimated 1-year prevalence of headache, migraine, chronic migraine, and tension-type headache were 47% (CI 95%: 39.5-52.6%), 20.4% (CI 95%: 16.6-24.9%), 8.4% (CI 95%: 6.1-12.0%), and 6.2% (CI 95%: 3.3-9.8%), respectively. Migraine was more prevalent in women and among employed people. No other relationship was found. The overall prevalence of migraine and chronic migraine in this very low-income community were high and migraine was associated with gender and job status.Conclusion.-The overall prevalence of migraine and chronic migraine in this very low-income community were high and tension-type headache was low. A paradox was noted in the employment status and income association, one would expect higher levels of migraine in a low-income population, but higher numbers were found in those employed vs unemployed. These findings will need to be replicated in other population samples.

Gender aspects of the relationship between migraine and cardiovascular risk factors: A cross-sectional evaluation in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

“…Similarly, other previous Brazilian studies performed in population-based studies (32)(33)(34)(35) or clinical settings (36) reported one-year migraine prevalence ranging from 20.4% to 36.8%. Additionally, the relationship between CVRF and the presence of migraine in the last 12 months was partially influenced by gender in the ELSA.…”

Religiosity and Tobacco and Alcohol Use in a Brazilian Shantytown

“…The original data were gathered as part of a study examining headache prevalence and "risk factors" in very lowincome communities (Lucchetti & Peres, 2011 The interview was carried out by trained personnel from the Family Health Program, who were called community health agents (CHAs). CHAs are key people within the nationwide community health agent program (CHAP), created in 1991, that operates within Brazil's Family Health Strategy (FHS).…”

Migraine prevalence, socioeconomic status, and social causation

“…[21][22][23][24]28,29 Exceptions [30][31][32][33] are likely explained by small samples, low variability income, or high levels of social support. While there is a direct effect of low income on health, HH income itself is also a surrogate for a number of social, psychological, and physical exposures, some of which may mediate migraine onset.…”