Determining Potential Target Groups for Oral Cancer Screening by Investigating Risk Behaviors Among Occupations

Abstract

Background: Oral cancer is a major public health burden in Taiwan. Studies have suggested that habits of betel quid chewing, tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking as well as their interaction effects are important risk factors for oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD). A population-based oral cancer screening program has been implemented by Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan. People with betel quid chewing and/or cigarette smoking habits are recommended for biennially screening. Previous studies found that majority of betel quid chewers were in labor intensive occupations. Given the fact that high risk groups of oral cancer are often reluctant to attend screening, targeted approach should be applied to improve the effectiveness of screening program. Aim: The aims of this study are to identify occupations with high prevalence of betel-quid chewing and also to investigate changing trends using the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) database. Methods: The NHIS database of 2009 and 2013 were used to conduct this study. We identified current users of betel quid and/or cigarette from adults with aged 20-64 years old and working on jobs. Occupations were classified using the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO-88). Statistical analyses included indirect standardized rate ratios and cluster analysis of chewing/smoking habits. Results: From the total survey participants (2009: 19,201, 2013: 17,249), we extracted 11,507 and 10,760 persons for the study. In the year of 2013, using the 2-digit code of ISCO-88, drivers and mobile-plant operators (code 83 in ISCO-88) had the highest prevalence of betel quid chewing habit (30.9%), followed by extraction and building trades workers (code 71 in ISCO-88, 29.6%). These two groups also had the 2 highest smoking prevalence (61.2% and 62.2%). The betel quid chewing prevalence decreased from 2009 to 2013 slightly (32.3%-30.9%). However, the prevalence of smoking increased (60.0%-62.2%). Among the betel quid chewers of the two focused occupations, the corresponding rates of receiving oral cancer screening were rather low (35.47% and 21.52%). The indirect standardized ratios using the total sample as the reference showed 6 occupations (2 digit of ISCO-88) with significantly higher ratios (larger than 2). Cluster analysis demonstrated that the group with high prevalence of betel quid chewing also had high prevalence of cigarette smoking habit. Conclusion: The betel quid chewing prevalence has been decreased in all occupations. While at the same time, prevalence of cigarette smoking did not largely decrease. We analyzed the NHIS databases and found that workers in some occupations tend to have higher prevalence in both betel quid chewing and smoking. The oral cancer screening and cancer awareness need be targeted on certain occupations.