Optimal control of a discrete age-structured model for tuberculosis transmission

In this present paper, a discrete age-structured model of tuberculosis (TB) transmission is formulated and analyzed. The existence and stability of the model equilibriums are discussed based on the basic reproduction ratio. A sensitivity analysis of the model parameters is determined. We then apply the optimal control strategy for controlling the transmission of TB in child and adult populations. The control variables are TB prevention, chemoprophylaxis of latent TB, and active TB treatment efforts. The optimal controls are then derived analytically using the Pontryagin Maximum Principle. Various intervention strategies are performed numerically to investigate the impact of the interventions. We used the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) to assess the benefit of each one the control strategies.