Burden of headache in the South-East Asia Region - Global Campaign against Headache
Burden of headache in the South-East Asia Region
Burden of headache in the South-East Asia Region
Throughout the large and diverse South-East Asia Region (SEAR), there have been no data until recently on the prevalence or burden of headache.
In India, headache disorders appear to be highly prevalent there, perhaps because of climate and lifestyle. India is itself very large (population 1.2 billion) and diverse. State-based rather than nationwide initiatives offer the best prospects of success. An epidemiological study has been completed in Karnataka State, with logistic support from WHO's South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO). Extrapolation to all India from an enumerated population of about 12,000 within one State may not be appropriate; another study is therefore planned around Delhi. Similar results from the north of India will be reassuring but still not representative of the country. However, if results from two methodologically sound studies in India are within the worldwide range, no reason will exist for believing they overestimate the problem for healthcare planning purposes.
A nationwide population-based door-to-door survey has been completed in Nepal, a very poor country, funded through Samarbeidsorganet, the Liaison Committee between the Central Norway Regional Health Authority and NTNU. This study, now in analysis, supports two PhD students.
A nationwide population-based door-to-door survey is planned in Sri Lanka, with logistic support from WHO's country office.
Indonesia is important because it is a populous country where nothing is known of the burden of headache there. We are seeking local contacts.
Collaborators:
- D Chowdhury, GB Pant Hospital, Delhi, India
- G Gururaj, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
- A Krishnan, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
- G Kulkarni, National Institute for Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
- K Manandhar, Kathmandu University School of Medical Science, Dhulikhel, Nepal
- A Padeniya, Teaching Hospital Kandy, Kandy, and Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- S Perera, Ministry of Health Care & Nutrition, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- GN Rao, National Institute for Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
- A Risal, Kathmandu University School of Medical Science, Dhulikhel, Nepal
- S Senanayake, Association of Srilankan Neurologists (ASN), Colombo, Sri Lanka
- R Srinivasa, MS Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, India