An Agent-Based Epidemic Simulation of Social Behaviors Affecting HIV Transmission among Taiwanese Homosexuals

Table 3

Properties and methods for each simulation component.

Component	Properties	Methods
Observer	Higher in class hierarchy.	Uses information from classes lower in the hierarchy to create screen display.
World	Two-dimensional lattice containing agents.	Defines social network structure. Can be influenced by agent behavior.
Scheduler	Defines time in one-month units.	Defines events that happen to each agent during each time unit and ensures that rules are followed.
Rules	Rules applied to simulation pertaining to contamination, HIV evolution, epidemiological progress status, and so forth.	Communicates rules to schedulers and agents.
Agent	One agent represents one human individual.	Changes status according to epidemic model parameters, capable of interacting with other agents.
Agent behavior	Behavioral rules based on statistical data from surveys.	Controls agent behaviors (e.g., number of contacts, condom usage).