Modeling the Transmission and Control Dynamics of HIV/AIDS–Cryptococcal Meningitis Co-Infection

This study presents a mathematical model for the transmission and control dynamics of HIV/AIDS and cryptococcal meningitis (CM) co-infection. Using a compartmental framework, a system of differential equations is formulated to represent the susceptible, exposed, pre-AIDS, AIDS, and co-infected populations. The model is analyzed to determine key epidemiological thresholds, equilibrium points, and the possibility of backward bifurcation. Numerical simulations are performed to assess the impact of intervention strategies, including treatment and public health education, on disease prevalence. The results indicate that the effective implementation of targeted interventions can significantly reduce the prevalence of co-infection and prevent disease outbreaks. Furthermore, the occurrence of forward bifurcation suggests that the elimination of HIV/AIDS–CM co-infection is achievable when the effective reproduction number is maintained below unity. These findings underscore the importance of integrated control strategies in managing co-infections and provide useful insights for public health policy in high-risk populations.