Table 1

Demographic characteristics and health-related behaviours among rural residents with POC lesions (n=5161)

VariableNon-POC
(n=4784)
POC
(n=377)
p Value
Age (years)0.637
 <653822 (93%)305 (7%)
 ≥65962 (93%)72 (7%)
Gender<0.001
 Female2842 (99%)38 (1%)
 Male1942 (85%)339 (15%)
Education level<0.001
 High school and above2122 (95%)108 (5%)
 Elementary school and below2662 (91%)269 (9%)
Self-perceived economic status<0.001
 Feel good or fair3848 (93%)275 (7%)
 Feel poor or bad936 (90%)102 (10%)
Alcohol use<0.001
 Never3669 (95%)180 (5%)
 Current and cessation1115 (85%)197 (15%)
Betel chewing<0.001
 Never4411 (95%)209 (5%)
 Current and cessation373 (69%)168 (31%)
Cigarette smoking<0.001
 Never4069 (96%)169 (4%)
 Current and cessation715 (77%)208 (23%)
Dental check-ups<0.001
 Regular (>1/year)2182 (95%)110 (5%)
 Seldom/never2602 (91%)267 (9%)
Physical activity<0.001
 Regular*2411 (94%)145 (6%)
 Irregular2373 (91%)232 (9%)
  • *Regular: at least three times a week and 30 min per session.

  • POC, pre-oral cancer.