Impact of human behavior on ITNs control strategies to prevent the spread of vector borne diseases

Abstract

The use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) is known to be one of the best preventive mechanisms for mosquito-borne human diseases by avoiding infective mosquito bites. However, the effective use of them is affected by human behaviour which is further fueled by the persuasive power of those who object their use. Taking this in to account, we propose a mathematical model for mosquito-borne diseases transmission that considers the effect of information dependent human behaviour in the use of ITNs. The model is mathematically analyzed to determine the basic reproduction number, and to study equilibria and their stability. Moreover, optimal control theory is applied to the model and optimal strategy for implementing health-promotion campaigns is derived. Numerical simulations to the optimal control problem show that as the power of persuasion of the anti-ITNs use group becomes larger than those of the pro-ITNs use group in the population, the burden of the disease becomes more challenging and its control becomes more costly.