Assessing the effects of homosexuals and bisexuals on the intrinsic dynamics of HIV/AIDS in heterosexual settings

  • Authors:

  • Zindoga Mukandavire;Christinah Chiyaka;Gesham Magombedze;Godfrey Musuka;Noble J. Malunguza

  • Affiliations:

  • Department of Applied Mathematics, Modelling Biomedical Systems Research Group, National University of Science and Technology, Box AC 939 Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe;Department of Applied Mathematics, Modelling Biomedical Systems Research Group, National University of Science and Technology, Box AC 939 Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe;Department of Applied Mathematics, Modelling Biomedical Systems Research Group, National University of Science and Technology, Box AC 939 Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe;African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships, Private Bag X033 Gaborone, Botswana;Department of Applied Mathematics, Modelling Biomedical Systems Research Group, National University of Science and Technology, Box AC 939 Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

  • Venue:
  • Mathematical and Computer Modelling: An International Journal
  • Year:
  • 2009

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Abstract

A deterministic compartmental sex-structured HIV/AIDS model for assessing the effects of homosexuals and bisexuals on the intrinsic dynamics of the disease in heterosexual settings in which homosexuality and bisexuality issues have remained taboo is presented. The epidemic threshold and equilibria for the model are determined and stabilities are investigated. Comprehensive qualitative analysis of the model including invariance of solutions and permanence are carried out. The epidemic threshold known as the basic reproductive number suggests that heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality influence the growth of the epidemic in HIV/AIDS affected populations and the partial reproductive number (homosexuality induced or heterosexuality and bisexuality induced) with the larger value influences the overall dynamics of the epidemic in a setting. Numerical simulations of the model show that as long as one of the partial reproductive numbers is greater than unity, the disease will exist in the population. We conclude from the study that homosexuality and bisexuality enlarge the epidemic in a heterosexual setting. The theoretical study highlights the need to carry out substantial research to map homosexuals and bisexuals as it has remained unclear as to what extent this group has contributed to the epidemic in heterosexual settings especially in southern Africa, which has remained the epidemiological locus of the epidemic.