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Modelling the spread of hepatitis C via commercial tattoo parlours: implications for public health interventions

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Abstract

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a serious infection caused by a blood-borne virus. It is a contagious disease spreading via a variety of transmission mechanisms including contaminated tattoo equipment. Effectively regulating commercial tattoo parlours can greatly reduce this risk. This paper models the cost-effectiveness and optimal timing of such interventions, and parameterises the model with data for Vienna, Austria. This dynamic model of the contagious spread of HCV via tattooing and other mechanisms accounts for secondary infections and shows that regulating tattoo parlours as done in Vienna, Austria in 2003, is a cost-saving intervention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. OR and Dynamical Systems Research Unit Department of Mathematical Methods in Economics, Vienna University of Technology, Argentinierstrasse 8/105-4, 1040, Vienna, Austria

    Doris A. Behrens

  2. School of Business, Economics, and Computer Science, Institute of Business Studies, Department of Innovation and Technology Management, University of Vienna, Bruenner Strasse 72, 1210, Vienna, Austria

    Marion S. Rauner

  3. Carnegie Mellon University, Qatar Campus and Heinz School of Public Policy and Management, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-3890, USA

    Jonathan P. Caulkins

  4. Qatar Campus, PO Box 24866, Doha, Qatar

    Jonathan P. Caulkins

Authors
  1. Doris A. Behrens
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  2. Marion S. Rauner
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  3. Jonathan P. Caulkins
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Correspondence to Marion S. Rauner.

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Behrens, D.A., Rauner, M.S. & Caulkins, J.P. Modelling the spread of hepatitis C via commercial tattoo parlours: implications for public health interventions. OR Spectrum 30, 269–288 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00291-007-0090-7

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