Assessment of Medical Students’ Knowledge of Migraine Headaches in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and Aims: Migraine is a common neurological disease with frequent episodes that may impact the social, mental, and physical dimensions. This study aims to determine medical students’ knowledge of migraines in the western region of Saudi Arabia, which may help decrease misdiagnosis and referral to secondary healthcare facilities. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using an electronic questionnaire. A total of 628 medical students in Makkah, Jeddah, Al-Taif, and Medina were involved in the investigation in November 2021. The questionnaire addressed their knowledge of diagnosis and treatment options. Results: More than half of the participants were men (60.5%). The academic level was approximately equal among the participants (61.5% were in their pre-clinical years). Only 20.4% of the students had a good knowledge of migraine diagnosis and 20.1% had good knowledge of headache treatment. A good knowledge level was detected among 33.8% of the students aged 24 years or more compared with 4.7% of those aged 18–19 years (P-value: .001). In addition, students in their clinical years had better knowledge compared with those in their pre-clinical years (P-value: 0.001). Students exposed to any patients with migraines at medical school had a good knowledge level compared with those who did not. A good knowledge level was detected among 40.1% of the students who participated in any course on migraine headaches compared with 11.9% of those who had never participated. Conclusions: Medical students in the western region of Saudi Arabia have low knowledge of migraines. We recommend students be exposed to high-quality sources of information.

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