Knowledge and attitudes of general practitioners towards migraine in primary health centres in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the level of knowledge and attitude of General Practitioners (GPs) towards migraine in Abidjan, the most densely populated city in Côte d’Ivoire, to contribute to the improvement of its management. Patients and Method A cross-sectional study, descriptive and analytical, was conducted in primary care health centers in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire based on a questionnaire addressed to GPs. Results This study interviewed 220 GPs whose average age was 35.3 ± 4 years. The average number of years of practice was 5.3 ± 4.4. The levels of total knowledge, general knowledge, diagnostic criteria and therapeutic knowledge of GPs were 28.6%, 26.40%, 27.90%, 32.70%, respectively. In terms of attitudes, GPs received an average of one to two migraine cases per month in 86.9% of cases. The average age of migraine patients was 30.1 years. For 83.2% of GPs, it is not necessary to perform brain imaging in the presence of migraine. In case of need, 75.5% of GPs referred migraine sufferers to neurologists and for all GPs, it is not indicated to prescribe an acute treatment and a preventive treatment in the presence of at least 3 migraine attacks in the month. All GPs were keen to have migraine training. Analytically, GPs' knowledge was associated with age group (p = 0.001), number of years of practice (p = 0.016) and workplace (p = 0.000). Conclusion Although attitudes are acceptable, the level of knowledge of GPs towards migraine is poor. The results of this study clearly suggest a need for enhancing awareness and promoting specific training about migraine in GPs working in primary care health centers in Abidjan.