The Health Education of the Huelva Travelling Chair (1956-1977)

Abstract

This historical study has been carried out with the aim of identifying the educational work in health carried out by the health educators of the Falange's Female Section Travelling Chairs in the province of Huelva during the period from 1956 to 1977, consulting documental primary sources found in the Archivo Histórico Provincial (Huelva, Spain), the Archivo de la Real Academia de la Historia (Madrid, Spain) and the Archivo General de la Administración (Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain); and oral sources concerning our research. Through the Puericulture and Hygiene Program, the Exemplary Mothers course, the First Aid course and other specific actions, the aim was to improve Hygiene and Public Health in the 61 municipalities where the Chair was active, reaching a large part of the population of these rural areas. The main beneficiaries were women, but men also participated in this training, receiving Hygiene courses. The health educators of the Travelling Chair were supported by other health agents in her educational work, mainly by the local doctor, nurse, or sanitary personnel from companies in the area. The high attendance and motivation for the Health Education program was impelled by the applicability of learning in everyday life to meet the need to improve the state of health in an environment with scarce resources.