Covariates
In the study, according to previous literature, several covariates were included to adjust the models that described the association of sexual behavior with HBV Infection. First, demographic characteristics including age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, poverty income ratio (PIR) were selected. The age group was classified into three categories, namely 18-39, 40-59, 60-69 years. Race/ethnicity was divided into five categories, including Mexican American, other Hispanic, non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and other Races, comprising non-Hispanic multiracial. Education was classified into three categories, namely less than high school, high school graduate, and more than high school. The categorization of marital status comprised the subsequent classifications: married, widowed/divorced/separated, never married, and living with a partner[19]. poverty income ratio (PIR) was classified into <1.3, 1.3-1.8, and >1.8[20]. Body mass index (BMI) was categorized as <25, 25-30, and ≥30. Smoking status was classified as never smoking, former smoking, and current smoking. Second, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, HCV infection, and drug use were collected[6]. All these variables were categorized as “yes” and “no” group. Third, indicators of liver function, including albumin (ALB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), total bilirubin (TBIL), were included.