HIV/AIDS modeling of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict-affected populations with therapeutic intervention: global stability and sensitivity analysis
Author(s):
Abdelkadir Muzey Mohammed
Abdelkadir Muzey Mohammed
Department of Mathematics,
Mekelle University,
P. O. Box 231, Mekelle,
Ethiopia.
abdelkadir.muzey@mu.edu.et
,
Habtu Alemayehu Atsbaha
Habtu Alemayehu Atsbaha
Department of Mathematics,
Mekelle University,
P. O. Box 231, Mekelle,
Ethiopia.
habtu.alemayehu@mu.edu.et
,
Yohannes Yirga Kefela
Yohannes Yirga Kefela
Department of Mathematics,
Mekelle University,
P. O. Box 231, Mekelle,
Ethiopia.
yohannes.yirga@mu.edu.et
,
Woldegebriel Assefa Woldegerima
Woldegebriel Assefa Woldegerima
Department of Mathematics,
Mekelle University,
P. O. Box 231, Mekelle,
Ethiopia. ,
Department of Mathematics and Statistics,
York University,
Toronto, M3J 1P3, Canada.
wassefaw@yorku.ca
,
Kiros Tedla Gebrehiwot
Kiros Tedla Gebrehiwot
Institute of Biomedical Sciences,
College of Health Science,
Mekelle University,
Mekelle, Ethiopia
kirosmerry12@gmail.com
Abstract
Armed conflicts intensify HIV/AIDS transmission by increasing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and disrupting healthcare systems, particularly in low-income regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa. These intersecting factors substantially accelerate the progression of existing infections and increase the incidence of new cases, yet the combined impact of conflict-related SGBV and biomedical interventions remains insufficiently quantified. To address this, we developed a deterministic compartmental model to investigate HIV transmission dynamics, explicitly incorporating rape-related infections, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and antiretroviral therapy (ART), and evaluated their interactions across varying conflict intensity scenarios. The model assessed disease-free and endemic equilibria, computed the basic reproduction number ($\mathcal{R}_0$), and conducted global stability and sensitivity analyses. Numerical simulations examined the influence of SGBV prevalence, treatment coverage, and escalating conflict on HIV transmission. Results demonstrated that HIV transmission escalates sharply with increasing SGBV and conflict intensity. Timely initiation of PEP and ART substantially reduces new infections, with PEP exerting the greatest impact among rape-exposed populations. Combined PEP and ART interventions produced synergistic reductions in $\mathcal{R}_0$, whereas treatment interruptions facilitated persistent endemicity. These findings underscore effective HIV control in conflict-affected populations requires integrated strategies that concurrently reduce SGBV exposure and maintain treatment access. The model provides a quantitative framework for epidemic preparedness, evidence-based policy development, and survivor-centered interventions, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted public health strategies in conflict-impacted regions.
Keywords
HIV/AIDS modeling; sexual and gender-based violence; conflict-affected populations; global stability; sensitivity analysis; therapeutic interventions
2020 Mathematics Subject Classification
92D30, 92C60, 34D20, 37N25