Modeling AIDS spread in social networks an in-silico study using exploratory agent-based modeling

The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic has perhaps one of the most complex social structures exhibited by any epidemic. AIDS spread is strongly linked with social networks transgressing cultural, religious and geographical boundaries making it difficult to conduct an objective study. Agent-based Modeling is well-known as an effective method for the exploration and study of complex systems. In this paper, using an example from three different types of populations, we present an Exploratory Agent-based Model (EABM) of AIDS in hybrid populations. Calibrated with data from UNAIDS studies, the model demonstrates how modeling using EABM can be useful to study the complexity in complex social systems in the absence of data of complex interactions. Extensive simulation experiments demonstrate the suitability of this proposed approach to study complex social phenomena. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.