Modelling human response to information in voluntary vaccination behaviour using epidemic data.

Area of Science:

• Population dynamics
• Social epidemiology
• Mathematical modeling

Background:

• Holling functional responses are key in population dynamics.
• Understanding vaccination behavior is crucial for disease control.
• Information and rumors significantly influence public health decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate Holling functional responses for modeling information-influenced vaccination behavior.
• To apply these models in a socio-epidemiological context for meningococcal meningitis.
• To assess the impact of different Holling types on model accuracy.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Holling functionals to represent information-dependent vaccination rates.
• Developed a socio-epidemiological model for meningococcal meningitis.
• Estimated parameters using outbreak data from Nigeria.
• Numerically assessed the impact of Holling functionals on model solutions.

Main Results:

• Holling type I and III functionals showed significant inaccuracies in parameter estimation.
• Holling type II functional accurately reproduced epidemiological data.
• Reasonable information parameter values were obtained using the Holling type II functional.
• The Holling type II functional suggests a constant rate of information contact and non-negligible information processing time.

Conclusions:

• The Holling type II functional is most suitable for modeling vaccination behavior influenced by information.
• This model provides insights into disease transmission dynamics and intervention strategies.
• The findings have implications for public health policy and risk communication during outbreaks.