A Conceptual Multivariate Modelling Approach for Integrating Epidemiologic and Psychosocial Determinants to Examine the Epidemiology of Diseases in Under-served Populations

Abstract

Epidemiologic research involves the study of a complex set of host, environment and causative agent factors as these interact to impact health and diseases in any population. A conceptual multivariate modelling approach for integrating epidemiologic and psychosocial determinants to examine the epidemiology of chronic and infectious diseases in under-served populations in the USA was developed. Our approach relies upon systems analysis, i.e. integrating concepts and methods in epidemiology with mathematics and statistics along with computational methods and tools to rigorously examine the dynamics of diseases such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in a community. We used a multifactorial and quantitative epidemiologic (static) model that interrelates multiple determinants including biomedical, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors to analyze morbidity and mortality due to HIV/AIDS. The research involved participation of the community in the collection of socioeconomic, demographic, environmental, epidemiologic and biomedical data. In collaboration with Montgomery AIDS Outreach (MAO), a community based Organization in Montgomery, Alabama; blood samples were collected and tested using Orasure HIV testing kits to establish infection status with HIV/AIDS. Using these models, evaluations of various intervention scenarios with the objective of recommending effective strategies to minimize the risk of new HIV infections and/or manage existing diseases in a community can be generated.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS; multifactorial modelling; systems analysis.

Figure 1. Factors that affect Health Disparities and Strategies for interventions