Modelling the effect of education-based intervention in the control of malaria

Abstract

In this study, we propose a mathematical model for the transmission dynamics of malaria by incorporating behavioural change via education as a control strategy against the spread of malaria. Analytical study is carried out to investigate the local stability of the system, given a threshold parameter known as the basic reproduction number R₀, which is obtained using the next generation matrix method. Result showed that disease-free equilibrium of the system is locally asymptotically stable if R₀ < 1 . Numerical simulation carried out on the system shows that behavioural change significantly alters the dynamics of malaria infection towards achieving a malaria-free society in finite time.

Keywords: Education, behavioural change, Disease-Free Equilibrium, Basic reproduction number, Local stability