The Role of Behavioral Compliance to Non-Pharmaceutical and Pharmaceutical Interventions in the Fight Against COVID-19: Insights From a Behavior-Disease Economic Epidemic Model Coupled With Optimal Control Theory

Abstract

It is imperative that resources are channeled towards programs that are efficient and cost effective in combating the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2). This study proposed and analyzed control strategies for that purpose. We developed a mathematical disease model within an optimal control framework that allows us to investigate the best approach for curbing COVID-19 epidemic. We address the question, what is the role of community compliance in as a measure for COVID-19 control? Analyzing the impact of community compliance of recommended guidelines by health authorities — examples, social distancing, face mask use, and sanitizing — couple with efforts by health authorities in areas of vaccine provision and effective quarantine — showed that the best intervention in addition to implementation of vaccination programs and effective quarantine measures, is the active incorporation of individuals’ collective behaviors, and that resources should also be directed towards community campaigns on the importance of face mask use, social distancing, and frequent sanitizing, and any other collective activities. We also demonstrated that collective behavioral response of individuals influences the disease dynamics; implying recommended health policy should be contextualized.

Note: Funding: This research is funded by Canada’s International Development Re- search Centre (IDRC) (Grant No. 109559-001).

Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.