KNOWLEDGE, SELF-CARE PRACTICES, MEDICATION-OVERUSE AWARENESS AND PHARMACIST COUNSELLING NEEDS AMONG WORKING ADULTS WITH RECURRENT HEADACHE AND MIGRAINE-LIKE SYMPTOMS

Senthil M.*, Lithya S., Dinesh V., Vasikaran B.

ABSTRACT

Background: Recurrent headache and migraine-like symptoms are common among working adults and may affect concentration, productivity, self-care, and medicine use. Limited evidence is available on medication-overuse awareness and pharmacist counselling needs. Objective: To assess knowledge, self-care practices, medication-overuse awareness, OTC analgesic use, consultation behaviour, work impact, and pharmacist counselling needs among working adults with recurrent headache and migraine-like symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among working adults aged ≥21 years with recurrent headache or migraine-like symptoms. Data were collected using a Google Forms questionnaire covering demographics, headache characteristics, triggers, knowledge, self-care, medication use, consultation, work impact, and pharmacist responses. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages. Pearson chi-square test was used to examine the association between migraine-like self-classification and episode frequency. Results: Overall, 377 participants were included. A total of 256 participants (67.9%) self-classified their headache as migraine-like; however, migraine was not clinically confirmed using ICHD-3 criteria or a validated screening instrument. Weekly episodes were most frequent, and stress was the leading trigger, followed by lack of sleep, loud noise, bright light, and screen exposure. Awareness of headache-migraine differentiation was reported by 218 participants (57.8%), while medication-overuse headache awareness was reported by 190 (50.4%). OTC drugs or painkillers were selected as the main self-reported response during episodes by 189 participants [50.1%], while paracetamol was the most commonly selected OTC analgesic option [233, 61.8%]. Only 162 participants (43.0%) consulted a doctor or pharmacist. Pharmacist role recognition was high (295, 78.2%), but counselling willingness was lower (196, 52.0%). Conclusion: Working adults with recurrent headache and migraine-like symptoms showed frequent headache episodes, moderate knowledge, common selection of OTC drugs or painkillers as an episode response, and consultation gaps. Structured pharmacist-led education may improve safe analgesic use, medication-overuse awareness, trigger management, and timely referral support.

Keywords: Migraine Disorders; Headache; Self Care; Self Medication; Medication Overuse Headache; Pharmacists.