The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the prevalence of primary headaches among medical staff and nurses in México; (2) to describe risk factors for Tensional Headache and Migraine; (3) to examine the frequency of Medication-overuse headache (MOH).

The global prevalence of current headache disorders among adults is nearly 47%. A Mexican cohort in teachers reported a lifetime prevalence of 19% of migraine. Nevertheless, there is lack of epidemiology reports of other primary headache types in México.

An online survey was conducted randomly, including staff from 7 hospital centers, in the period from August 16 to 22, 2022.

Of a total of 387 surveys (attending physicians=63; residents=211; last year medical students=44; nursing staff=69), 324 (83.7%) stated they had headache, of which 239 (73.8%) had migraine and 253 (78.1%) tension headache. Headache was significantly more prevalent in nursing staff and last year medical students vs. residents and attendings (95.2%, 93.2% vs. 77.7%, 84.1%; P= 0.001), however, this difference was not observed in migraine-specific prevalence (77.3%, 78% VS 75.6%, 60.4; P=0.090) nor for tension headache (69.6%, 68.3% VS 82.3%, 83.0%; P=0.058). Medication abuse was found in 5.1%, being more frequent in nursing staff and last year medical students VS residents and assigned (7.6%, 14.6% VS 4.9%, 0.0%; P=0.022). No relationship was found for the onset or worsening of headache with the COVID-19 pandemic.