Interventions in Networks

TL;DR

This paper explores network intervention strategies using sampling designs and models to evaluate their effects over time, with applications to HIV epidemic mitigation.

Contribution

It introduces methods combining link-tracing sampling, diverse interventions, and temporal spatial network models for evaluating intervention strategies.

Findings

Preliminary results suggest effective intervention strategies for HIV.

Network sampling designs can identify key units for intervention.

Strategies adapt and interact over time to influence network outcomes.

Abstract

Interventions are made in networks to change the network or its values in a desired way. The intervention strategies evaluated in the study described here use network sampling designs to find units to which interventions are applied. An intervention applied to a network node or link can change a value associated with that unit. Over time the effect of the intervention can have an effect on the population that goes beyond the sample units to which it is directly applied. This paper describes the methods used for this study. These include a variety of link-tracing sampling designs in networks, a number of types of interventions, and a temporal spatial network model in which the intervention strategies are evaluated. An intervention strategy is associated with an agent and different intervention strategies interact and adapt to each other over time. Some preliminary results are summarized regarding potential intervention strategies to help alleviate the HIV epidemic.