Abstract Details

Title Migraine Perception and Lived Experiences on College Campuses: Qualitative Analysis of Semi-Structured Virtual Focus Groups Among College Students

Topic Headache

Presentation(s) P1 - Poster Session 1 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 6-005

Objective 1) To understand migraine-related perceptions and lived experiences of those with migraine on college campuses; 2) To generate recommendations for supporting college students with migraine.

Background Teenagers have the sharpest growth in migraine prevalence and disability adjusted life years (DALYs). Migraine prevalence is ~16% among university students.

Design/Methods An initial 60-minute virtual semi-structured focus group was conducted with an all-women’s college (3 participants) to assess our questions’ relevance and comprehensiveness. We then conducted four national focus groups among college students with and without migraine (47 participants). Focus groups were transcribed and independently coded twice. We developed themes for the five focus groups using content analysis.

Results The following themes emerged: 1) Migraine is often misunderstood and not discussed on campus, with misconceptions surrounding severity and its distinction from headache. 2) The impact of migraine on campus is significant, with students reporting various triggering environments, difficulty maintaining focus, attending class, performing academically, preserving social relationships, and participating in extracurricular activities. 3) The most commonly reported accommodations for migraine were academic, specifically exam and attendance-related, though not always honored by professors. 4) Access to migraine care for students is challenging, with reports that student health centers are typically unapproachable, inconvenient, and unhelpful, with students seeking external providers for migraine. Students recommended more awareness/education initiatives for improved understanding of migraine as well as increased access to migraine resources/accommodations.

Conclusions Greater awareness of migraine, especially by faculty, disability services, and student health services, is crucial on college campuses.

Authors/Disclosures
Mia T. Minen, MD, FAAN (NYULMC Neurology) PRESENTER	The institution of Dr. Minen has received research support from NIH. Dr. Minen has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. Dr. Minen has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a First Contact-Primary Care Advisory Board Member with American Headache Society . Dr. Minen has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for PCORI grant on migraine evidence based map for stakeholders with ECRI .
Julia Dorf	Miss Dorf has nothing to disclose.
Erin Waire (NYU Langone Health)	Erin Waire has nothing to disclose.
Sara Novo	Ms. Novo has nothing to disclose.
David Gima	Mr. Gima has nothing to disclose.
Shreya Nasker	Miss Nasker has nothing to disclose.
Mara Getz, MPH	Ms. Getz has nothing to disclose.

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