title: Modeling Chagas Disease at Population Level to Explain Venezuela's Real Data.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this paper we present an age-structured epidemiological model for Chagas disease. This model includes the interactions between human and vector populations that transmit Chagas disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The human population is divided into age groups since the proportion of infected individuals in this population changes with age as shown by real prevalence data. Moreover, the age-structured model allows more accurate information regarding the prevalence, which can help to design more specific control programs. We apply this proposed model to data from the country of Venezuela for two periods, 1961-1971, and 1961-1991 taking into account real demographic data for these periods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Numerical computer simulations are presented to show the suitability of the age-structured model to explain the real data regarding prevalence of Chagas disease in each of the age groups. In addition, a numerical simulation varying the death rate of the vector is done to illustrate prevention and control strategies against Chagas disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proposed model can be used to determine the effect of control strategies in different age groups.
authors.affiliation: Grupo Matemática Multidisciplinar, Faculdad Ingeniería Universidad de los Andes, Venezuela; Centro de Investigaciones en Matemática Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de los Andes, Venezuela; Department of Mathematics, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: González-Parra
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Benito M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Chen-Charpentier
authors.affiliation: Grupo Matemática Multidisciplinar, Faculdad Ingeniería Universidad de los Andes, Venezuela; Universidad Nacional Experimental Sur de Lago Jesús María Semprum, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Moises
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bermúdez
keywords: Chagas disease; Trypanosoma cruzi; age-structured model; dynamic system; triatomines; vector