Adolescent Migraine in Klang Valley, Malaysia: Identifying Prevalence and Common Triggers Through a Cross-Sectional Approach

Background Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder affecting adolescents, yet its prevalence and triggers remain underexplored in Malaysia. Identifying modifiable risk factors is crucial for early intervention and prevention strategies. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of adolescent migraine in Klang Valley, Malaysia, and assess common trigger factors, particularly their associations with gender and academic grade. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents aged 14–18 years (n = 393) using convenience sampling. Participants completed an online survey, including the validated Migraine Screen Questionnaire (MS-Q) for migraine prevalence and a trigger factor assessment adapted from prior studies. Data were analyzed using SPSS v27, applying descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and significance testing (p < 0.05). Ethical approval was granted by the UTAR Scientific and Ethical Review Committee (U/SERC/224/2022), ensuring compliance with the Helsinki Declaration. Results: The prevalence of suspected migraine was 6.9%, with sensitivity to light/noise (64.1%) and restricted physical/intellectual activity (78.4%) being the most reported symptoms. Significant correlations were found between migraine triggers and gender, particularly electronic device use (r = 0.284, p = 0.001), lack of sleep (r = 0.270, p = 0.002), and emotional stress (r = 0.204, p = 0.011). Academic stress was significantly associated with migraine (p = 0.009), but study hours showed no significant correlation (p = 0.412). Conclusion: Academic stress, sleep disturbances, electronic device use, and dehydration were significant migraine triggers among adolescents. Findings highlight the need for school-based stress management, sleep hygiene education, and digital screen regulation to mitigate migraine risk. Future research should explore longitudinal patterns and targeted interventions for adolescent migraine prevention.