Soft computing framework for modelling transmission dynamics of HIV/AIDS under combined use of male and female condoms in heterosexual populations of Taraba State

Abstract

The widespread of HIV/AIDS has continued to constitute serious health and socioeconomic challenges for more than two decades, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. A permanent cure for this pandemic is not yet established and the issue of abstinence or faithfulness to sexual partners seems to be very difficult. This study used Genetic Agorithm of Soft Computing Framework for Modelling Transmission Dynamics of HIV/AIDS under combined use of male and female condoms in heterosexual populations of Taraba State. A total of 761 questionnaires were distributed to HIV/AIDS patients in the three senatorial zones of Taraba State. The researcher identified four set of terminals as independent variables: Never used condom, Used condom occasionally, Used condom most of the time, and Used condom all of the time. These values were converted to binary and coded as chromosomes into three fold: Male use of condom, Female use of condom, and Male and Female use of condom. The coded chromosomes of each category formed set of target values into the simulation of the Genetic algorithm. The simulation revealed that eradication of HIV/AIDS is obtainable in 6 generations with the use of male condom, 4 generations with the use of female condom and 2 generations with the use of both male and female condoms. The study also revealed that 56.4% of the respondents were female, 34.6% were male, 61.23% never used condom and 22.34% used condom all the times. This shows that there is no awareness on the use of female condom in Taraba State and probably the neighbouring states or Nigeria at large. The study recommended, among others, the use of both male and female condoms together as the best measure to achieve HIV/AIDS eradication in finite time.

Keywords: Genetic Algorithm, HIV/AIDS transmission, Male and Female Condoms, Soft computing, Taraba State

Vol. 26, No. 1, June 2019