Abstract
The degree distribution of nodes in a sexual network has been under thorough investigation, as has its implications for the spread of sexually transmitted infections. However, not only the structure of the network is of importance in regulating the propagation of an infection. Two nodes connected by an edge may take actions that reduce the transmission probability through that edge. Condom use is one such action. In this article, we derive models for individual action dispositions, and how they together generate an outcome on the edge connecting two nodes. We derive two main models: One where two connected nodes generate one outcome together (suitable for casual sex partners), and one where they generate several outcomes together (suitable for steady sex partners). We model different disposition distributions and different rules on how the dispositions generate outcomes, using an egocentric network dataset on condom use behavior.
Highlights
The aim when gathering a sample of individuals is to infer some specific quantity, such as the prevalence of a disease, the distribution of political views, or the distribution of the number of sex partners
We test if men who have sex with men (MSM) have the same or different disposition distributions based on position at anal intercourse (AI), for this test the data separating receptive anal intercourse (RAI) and insertive anal intercourse (IAI) are used and we compare the best fitted model assuming MSM have the same disposition distributions against the best fitted model assuming MSM have different disposition distributions
The spread of an sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a sexual network is regulated by both the infectious agent and sexual behaviors of individuals. When it comes to sexual behaviors, the structure of the network is of importance to understand the spread of an infection and behaviors that could slow or stop transmission between two connected nodes
Summary
The aim when gathering a sample of individuals is to infer some specific quantity, such as the prevalence of a disease, the distribution of political views, or the distribution of the number of sex partners. In most models developed to study the spread of STIs, condom use is incorporated in such a way that it neglects the network aspect—they neglect that it is a decision made by two individuals in a relationship Instead, it is incorporated as a fixed factor that decreases the probability of infection or as a factor that decreases the number of sex acts, and that this factor is the same for all individuals (e.g., Hansson et al, 2019; Pretorius, Stover, Bollinger, Bacaër, & Williams, 2010; Rönn et al, 2019; van Wees, Kretzschmar, & Heijne, 2018; Xiridou et al, 2003). We extend the models to allow for several outcomes with the same partner, that is, condom dispositions with steady sex partners
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