The role of nurse home visitors on the tuberculosis prophylaxis in the first half of 20th century in Portugal

Abstract

A substantial part of the writings on the history of tuberculosis has focused on the role of institutions rather than on the agents who work in them. From the historical point of view the role of the various actors in the movement of fighting against tuberculosis has not yet been assessed. If we can speak with some authority about the role of sanatoriums, dispensaries, associations and doctors, the role of nurse home visitors was not properly clarified or shown. With this article we intend firstly to characterize what the movement of fighting against tuberculosis in the 20th century in Portugal was like in terms of prophylaxis and secondly to show the role of the nurse home visitors within this movement in the detection of tuberculosis outbreaks, hygiene education, family support and promotion of BCG vaccination. The results of this investigation showed that a small number of references to the nurse home visitors appeared in the leading medical journals at the time, even though its role it’s very relevant in the social and sanitary levels. Their direct actions among the patients and families has contributed to the improvement of home hygiene and of customs and led more patients and families to the dispensary consultations for both treatments and screenings. However, in terms of vaccination their role was as so relevant as in other countries.