Global stability of HPV transmission on scale-free networks

This paper develops a dynamic model of two-stage recovery on scale-free networks to analyze the infection pathways of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) leading to cervical cancer, incorporating heterogeneous contact patterns. The framework stratifies the demographic cohort across four distinct compartments: susceptible [Formula: see text], HPV-infected [Formula: see text], precancerous lesions [Formula: see text] and cervical cancer [Formula: see text], with degree-based differential equations governing transmission dynamics. Theoretical analysis demonstrates that the basic reproduction number [Formula: see text] serves as a critical threshold: when [Formula: see text], the disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable, ensuring disease eradication; when [Formula: see text], the dynamical system asymptotically approaches a globally stable endemic equilibrium, with proven permanence. Numerical simulations also validate the theoretical results. Research indicates that under scale-free network structures, priority should be given to implement targeted screening high-contact groups, leveraging their central role in transmission dynamics to block HPV diffusion. The results of this study emphasize the critical role of early screening, targeted interventions for high-contact groups, and optimized treatment protocols to mitigate HPV-related cervical cancer.