MOBILE PHONE HEADACHES AMONGST MEDICAL STUDENTS OF THE LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY: PREVALENCE AND FEATURES

Abstract

Background: Electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure
from mobile phone (MP) use has been linked to
headaches in some studies. Mobile phone usage has
become an integral part of communication with an
anticipated longer lifetime of exposure to EMF. The aim of
this study is to determine the prevalence and features of
mobile phone headaches amongst medical students of
the Lagos State University.
Methodology: A structured questionnaire on MP use and
MPH and headache not associated with mobile phone
use was administered to 258 medical students of the
Lagos state university. Individual telephone interviews on
the MPH features were subsequently conducted with
those who reported MPH more than 10 times during the
last 1 year. MPH was defined as a headache attack during
MP use or within 1 hour after use.
Results: Of the 258 students that completed the
questionnaire, 37 (14.3%) experienced MPH. No
significant differences in age, gender, daily duration of MP
use, daily frequency of MP use, or overall duration of MP
use were observed between participants who
experienced MPH and those who did not. In subsequent
telephone interviews, 29 (78.4%) reported that MPH
occurred within minutes of usage, was dull in quality in 26
(70.3%), localized ipsilateral to the side of MP use in 29
(78.4%), mild in intensity in 34 (91.9%) and associated
with heat sensation in 20 (54.1%)
Conclusion: This study suggests that mobile phone
headaches are usually localized ipsilateral to the side of
MP use, dull in character, mild in intensity and associated
with heat sensation. Further larger studies are
suggested.