Title: Dynamic intimate contact social networks and epidemic interventions

Authors: Courtney D. Corley, Armin R. Mikler, Diane J. Cook, Karan P. Singh

Addresses: Computational Epidemiology Research Laboratory, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203 USA. ' Computational Epidemiology Research Laboratory, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203 USA. ' Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164 USA. ' Department of Biostatistics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, 76107 USA

Abstract: Sexually transmitted diseases and infections are, by definition, transferred among intimate social settings. Although the circumstances under which these social settings are established and maintained may vary, the common prerequisite remains an intimate level of social atmosphere. For this reason, the development of sexually transmitted disease mathematical and computational models must utilise dynamic and evolving social network simulation. This paper presents Dynamic Social Network of Intimate Contacts (DynSNIC), a computational simulator created to embody the intimate dynamic and evolving social networks related to the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and infections. DynSNIC|s utilisation by health professionals will facilitate evaluation of targeted intervention strategies and public health policies.

Keywords: dynamic social networks; epidemic interventions; public health; simulation; computational epidemiology; intimate contact; sexually transmitted diseases; STDs; sexually transmitted infections; intervention strategies; public policy; health policy; healthcare.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFIPM.2008.020186

International Journal of Functional Informatics and Personalised Medicine, 2008 Vol.1 No.2, pp.171 - 188

Published online: 08 Sep 2008 *

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