The effects of vertical transmission on the spread of HIV/AIDS in the presence of treatment

In this study, we develop a model that incorporates treatment of both juveniles who were infected with HIV/AIDS through vertical transmission and HIV/AIDS-infected adults. We derive conditions under which the burden of HIV/AIDS can be reduced in the population both in the absence of and in the presence of vertical transmission. We have determined the critical threshold parameter (R_v*), which represents the demographic replacement of infectives through vertical transmission, below which treated infected juveniles can reach adulthood without causing an epidemic. Five countries in sub-Saharan Africa are used to illustrate our results. We have concluded that R_v* is dependent on the current prevalence rate but that a significant proportion of infected juveniles receiving treatment can reach adulthood without causing an epidemic.