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MUSHAYABASA S, BHUNU CP, MAGOMBEDZE G, STEWART AGR. ON THE ROLE OF SCREENING AND EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS ON CONTROLLING HCV IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. J BIOL SYST 2013. [DOI: 10.1142/s0218339013500071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is higher among prison inmates compared with the general population because of the high proportion of intravenous drug misusers. In this paper, a mathematical model for the spread of HCV in correctional institutions is developed and analyzed. The impact of educational campaigns and screening of HCV infected individuals is examined. In the presence of screening, the study suggests that targeted education campaigns of more than 50% will be highly effective in controlling the sharing of injection equipment among intravenous drug users, thereby reducing HCV prevalence within the correctional institutions. Further, we applied optimal control theory to the proposed model. The controls represent educational campaigns and screening. The objective is based on minimizing cumulative latent and infectious cases within the correctional institution, while maximizing the number of susceptible nonintravenous drug misusers. The optimal control is characterized and numerically solved. Overall, the application of optimal control theory in this study suggests that, more effort should be devoted to educational campaigns compared to screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. MUSHAYABASA
- Department of Mathematics, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - C. P. BHUNU
- Department of Mathematics, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - G. MAGOMBEDZE
- National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - A. G. R. STEWART
- Department of Mathematics, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Abstract
Prostitution has been linked with drug/alcohol misuse for ages. A mathematical model to explore the relationship between prostitution and drug/alcohol misuse is proposed and analyzed. The epidemic thresholds known as the reproduction numbers and equilibria for the model are determined and stabilities analyzed. Analysis of the reproduction numbers suggest that prostitution enhances drug/alcohol misuse and vice-versa. Numerical simulations further show high levels of prostitution (drug/alcohol misuse) control in the absence of drug/alcohol misuse (prostitution). Results from this study suggests to effectively control prostitution (drug/alcohol misuse) require strategies that address both prostitution and drug/alcohol misuse. Addressing only one social issue like prostitution through poverty eradication may not be enough to stem prostitution as some would be turning to prostitution to support drug/alcohol addiction. The same scenario happens to drug/alcohol misuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. P. BHUNU
- Department of Mathematics, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - S. MUSHAYABASA
- Department of Mathematics, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Chancroid transmission dynamics: a mathematical modeling approach. Theory Biosci 2011; 130:289-98. [DOI: 10.1007/s12064-011-0132-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2011] [Accepted: 08/02/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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