School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sports Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Centre for Translational Pain Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
PLoS One. 2024 Aug 23;19(8):e0305643. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305643. eCollection 2024.
The complex neurological disorder of migraine is prevalent (19%) and burdensome in university students. Qualitative research exploring the lived experience of migraine in students has yet to be conducted.
Students clinically diagnosed with migraine were recruited (purposive sampling) from a sample of Irish third-level institutions for a one-time anonymized Zoom focus group or individual interview. Focus group questions were sent to participants in advance. Interviews were iterative. Participants were also invited to submit a drawing. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and sent to participants for triangulation. Reflexive thematic content analysis was undertaken, data was imported to Microsoft Excel, initial codes were generated, and themes and sub-themes were derived from the codes. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Studies Checklist (S1 File) ensured study rigour.
Twenty students from three Irish universities participated (mean age 23.8 years). The four key themes identified were (i) Migraine Characteristics, (ii) Migraine Self-Management, (iii) Migraine Clinical Management, and (iii) Migraine Impacts. Migraine was described as not just a headache but a debilitating sensory experience. A notable high level of self-management satisfaction indicated hopeful coping strategies. However, many participants said medications were ineffective and had side effects, and clinical management could be improved. Additionally, there was a marked academic and social impact of migraine, psychological issues abounded, and several participants worried about finances.
Migraine is impactful in a cohort of students attending Irish third-level institutions, with students carrying a wide range of debilitating migraine burdens. Students demonstrate an attitude of resilience and determination despite these challenges. Migraine awareness and education campaigns on university campuses are warranted.
偏头痛是一种复杂的神经紊乱疾病，在大学生中较为普遍（19%）且负担沉重。目前尚未对学生偏头痛的真实体验进行定性研究。
从爱尔兰三所高等教育机构的样本中，通过目的性抽样，招募了临床诊断为偏头痛的学生，参加一次性匿名 Zoom 焦点小组或个人访谈。在访谈前向参与者发送焦点小组问题。访谈是迭代式的。参与者还被邀请提交一幅画。采访内容被录制下来，记录下来，并发送给参与者进行三角验证。采用反思性主题内容分析法，将数据导入 Microsoft Excel，生成初始代码，并从代码中得出主题和子主题。《定性研究报告标准》检查表（S1 文件）确保了研究的严谨性。
来自爱尔兰三所大学的 20 名学生参与了研究（平均年龄 23.8 岁）。确定了四个关键主题：（一）偏头痛特征，（二）偏头痛自我管理，（三）偏头痛临床管理，（四）偏头痛影响。偏头痛不仅被描述为头痛，还被描述为一种使人衰弱的感觉体验。高水平的自我管理满意度表明了有希望的应对策略。然而，许多参与者表示药物无效且有副作用，临床管理可以得到改善。此外，偏头痛对学业和社交有明显影响，心理问题比比皆是，一些参与者还担心经济问题。
偏头痛在爱尔兰高等教育机构的学生群体中具有较大影响，学生承受着各种偏头痛负担。尽管面临这些挑战，学生们仍表现出坚韧不拔的态度。需要在大学校园开展偏头痛意识和教育活动。
