Abstract

FARINAS REINOSO, Ana Teresa. The woman's presence in the management of the field of hygiene and epidemiology in Cuba, 1959-2009. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol [online]. 2011, vol.49, n.2, pp.260-275. ISSN 1561-3003.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the epidemiology from the public health perspective as a state policy, is to study basically the health situation of populations, that is, the profiles of human groups to its control. The gender system is a series of practices, symbols, representations, guidelines and social values that the societies create from the anatomical-physiological sexual difference and give sense to situation of sexual urges, to reproduction of human species and in general to relationship among persons. Despite the achievements obtained in Cuba, which undoubtedly have reduced the gaps of gender, there are determined ways of thinking and of acting to lapse into inequalities present among men and women. OBJECTIVE: To describe the woman's incorporation to management of hygiene and epidemiology area during three periods of Cuban public health. METHODS: An historical-logical study was conducted taking into account as a guide the frequency of the Cuban public health from the colonial period up to the present years of Cuban Revolution. RESULTS: During the two first periods of the Cuban public health there was few involvement of woman in the management processes of the hygiene-epidemiology area. Between 1959 and 1979 there was predominance of specialist boards in health administration where for the first time a woman managed the Institute of Hygiene. It was evidenced that the more area strengthened by staff women in his period was the teaching one. Between 1970 and 1979 the first women were graduate as specialists and started to hold posts as manager as community epemiologists, nutritionists and hygienists. From 1980 to 1989 it was evidenced a climax in all related to involvement of woman in the hygiene and epidemiology area management, especially in the conduction of services and teaching. Finally, after 1990, there remains an increase of involvement of woman in the management of hygiene and epidemiology emphasizing the management of Provincial Centers of Hygiene and Epidemiology and the vice-management of the Research Institutes of the above mentioned specialties. CONCLUSION: All leader women have contributed in a decisive way to the achievements obtained in the hygiene and epidemiology in the Cuban public health. Nevertheless, it is necessary to continue increasing the involvement of woman in the management of this area leading to reformist elegance in the scientific management.

Keywords : Hygiene; epidemiology; woman; management.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )