The parameters in the Reference Group model fit by EPP The parameters in the Reference Group model fit by EPP. r, The rate of growth of the epidemic; f0, the fraction of the population considered to be at risk of infection at the start of the epidemic; t0 the start year of the epidemic; φ a parameter that relates recruitment to the at-risk population to declines in the at-risk population due to AIDS mortality. The parameters in the Reference Group model fit by EPP. r, The rate of growth of the epidemic; f0, the fraction of the population considered to be at risk of infection at the start of the epidemic; t0 the start year of the epidemic; φ a parameter that relates recruitment to the at-risk population to declines in the at-risk population due to AIDS mortality. P D Ghys et al. Sex Transm Infect 2004;80:i5-i9 ©2004 by BMJ Publishing Group Ltd