Impact of Tension-Type Headaches in the Workplace in Brazzaville

Introduction: Tension-type headaches are the most widespread of the primary headache disorders. Due to their high prevalence, tension-type headaches represent a major public health problem with an enormous socio-economic burden. Determining their impact remains a challenge. Objective: To assess the impact of occupational tension-type headache in Brazzaville and identify associated factors. Population and Methods: This was an analytical case-control study conducted in public and private companies in the city of Brazzaville over a period of four (04) months. The case population consisted of cephalalgic employees; the control population was drawn from the same companies and was free of tension-type headaches. Study variables were divided into socio-professional, clinical and individual impact variables. Individual impact variables were represented by: the HIT-6 score, which incorporates a very broad conception of disability, covering several domains, namely: severity of pain during attacks and the restrictive and limiting nature of attacks. Results: Individual impact was severe in 18 (62.1%) men and 11 (37.9%) women. Mean age was 36.3 ± 6.14 years for cases with severe impact. The mean duration of headache was 40.3 ± 32.7 months for cases with severe impact. Tension headache evolved in attacks in 22 (75.9%) cases with severe impact, and continuously in seven (24.1%) cases. The average number of attacks per month was 2.52 ± 1.04 for cases with severe impact. Cases with severe impact included 14 (48.3%) with chronic headache and 15 (51.7%) with episodic headache. Pain of severe intensity present in 48.3% of cases was associated with a severe impact of tension-type headache: OR = 151.66 [2.36 - 44245.95] and p-value = 0.037. At least one day’s absence from work per year was observed in 47.4% of our cases. The number of days off work per year due to tension-type headache had an interquartile range between 0 and 3 days and extremes from 0 to 14 days. It was the consequence of a severe impact on daily and/or professional activities. Conclusion: The high frequency of tension-type headaches in the workplace and its impact on the condition of workers in Brazzaville represent a real public health problem. It was found that the number of days absent from work per year due to tension headaches was the consequence of a severe impact on daily and/or professional activities. An awareness-raising program in this environment seems necessary, as well as an assessment of working conditions.