The History of Nursing in Peru: Social Determinants of its Construction in the Twentieth Century

Abstract

Objectives: Examine social, cultural and health characteristics as social determinants in the creation, training and development of professional nursing in Peru during the twentieth century. Materials and methods: This descriptive, socio-historical study is based on documentary, cross-sectional research combined with oral sources. Seven nursing schools/faculties and 16 interviews with teaching professionals were selected. Historical and dialectic materialism served as the theoretical reference for the analysis.  Results: The data showed those events to be linked intrinsically to the social, political, cultural and health changes in Peruvian society during its history. Interpretation: The problem in professional practice has the same characteristics as professions identified as feminine and is related to the same social determinants that result in limited social status for the profession. Conclusions: This study is intended to reveal situations that will be useful to future researchers in nursing schools and faculties, professional nursing associations in Peru, the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization as part of an effort to continue to delve into situations related to the nursing profession in Peru and throughout Latin America.