Behavior changes in SIS STD models with selective mixing
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States). Center for Nonlinear Studies
- Univ. of Alabama, Huntsville, AL (United States). Dept. of Mathematical Sciences
The authors propose and analyze a heterogeneous, multigroup, susceptible-infective-susceptible (SIS) sexually transmitted disease (STD) model where the desirability and acceptability in partnership formations are functions of the infected individuals. They derive explicit formulas for the epidemic thresholds, prove the existence and uniqueness of the equilibrium states for the two-group model and provide a complete analysis of their local and global stability. The authors then investigate the effects of behavior changes on the transmission dynamics and analyze the sensitivity of the epidemic to the magnitude of the behavior changes. They verify that if people modify their behavior to reduce the probability of infection with individuals in highly infected groups, through either reduced contacts, reduced partner formations, or using safe sex, the infection level may be decreased. However, if people continue to have intragroup and intergroup partnerships, then changing the desirability and acceptability formation cannot eradicate the epidemic once it exceeds the epidemic threshold.
- OSTI ID:
- 544149
- Journal Information:
- SIAM Journal of Applied Mathematics, Vol. 57, Issue 4; Other Information: PBD: Aug 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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