Nelly Martha Rocha Zapana, Elsa Gabriela Maquera Bernedo, William Harold Mamani Zapana, Angela Rosario Esteves Villanueva, Nury Gloria Ramos Calisaya
{"title":"Perception of the Rural Community Regarding the Role of Nursing Professionals: A Study in the High Andean Regions of Peru.","authors":"Nelly Martha Rocha Zapana, Elsa Gabriela Maquera Bernedo, William Harold Mamani Zapana, Angela Rosario Esteves Villanueva, Nury Gloria Ramos Calisaya","doi":"10.3390/nursrep15050148","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Access to healthcare services in rural areas of Peru remains a challenge, with marked differences compared to urban areas. Despite the importance of primary healthcare (PHC) in these communities, the rural population has a negative perception of the role of nursing staff. This study aimed to assess the perceptions of residents in the highland communities of Huata and Ichu, Province of Puno, located in southern Peru, regarding the role of nursing professionals. The general perception of the residents was first analyzed, followed by an evaluation of two dimensions (Fieldwork and Health Education), which allowed for the development of the REFCO (Role of the Nursing professional in the community) scale. The sample included 329 rural adults, mainly between 30 and 59, predominantly female, with incomplete secondary education. The results showed an unfavorable perception (54%) of nursing staff performance. The fieldwork dimension reported low visibility of nursing activities in the community, such as home visits and health programs. The second dimension demonstrated that educational interventions were perceived as infrequent and of low impact, with insufficient adaptation to local needs. These results highlight the need to strengthen the presence and educational strategies of nursing staff in alignment with the cultural and demographic realities of rural communities. Furthermore, it suggests a greater need for interinstitutional collaboration and a more personalized approach to community activities to improve the perception and effectiveness of healthcare services in these areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":40753,"journal":{"name":"Nursing Reports","volume":"15 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12114420/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Nursing Reports","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep15050148","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"NURSING","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Access to healthcare services in rural areas of Peru remains a challenge, with marked differences compared to urban areas. Despite the importance of primary healthcare (PHC) in these communities, the rural population has a negative perception of the role of nursing staff. This study aimed to assess the perceptions of residents in the highland communities of Huata and Ichu, Province of Puno, located in southern Peru, regarding the role of nursing professionals. The general perception of the residents was first analyzed, followed by an evaluation of two dimensions (Fieldwork and Health Education), which allowed for the development of the REFCO (Role of the Nursing professional in the community) scale. The sample included 329 rural adults, mainly between 30 and 59, predominantly female, with incomplete secondary education. The results showed an unfavorable perception (54%) of nursing staff performance. The fieldwork dimension reported low visibility of nursing activities in the community, such as home visits and health programs. The second dimension demonstrated that educational interventions were perceived as infrequent and of low impact, with insufficient adaptation to local needs. These results highlight the need to strengthen the presence and educational strategies of nursing staff in alignment with the cultural and demographic realities of rural communities. Furthermore, it suggests a greater need for interinstitutional collaboration and a more personalized approach to community activities to improve the perception and effectiveness of healthcare services in these areas.
期刊介绍:
Nursing Reports is an open access, peer-reviewed, online-only journal that aims to influence the art and science of nursing by making rigorously conducted research accessible and understood to the full spectrum of practicing nurses, academics, educators and interested members of the public. The journal represents an exhilarating opportunity to make a unique and significant contribution to nursing and the wider community by addressing topics, theories and issues that concern the whole field of Nursing Science, including research, practice, policy and education. The primary intent of the journal is to present scientifically sound and influential empirical and theoretical studies, critical reviews and open debates to the global community of nurses. Short reports, opinions and insight into the plight of nurses the world-over will provide a voice for those of all cultures, governments and perspectives. The emphasis of Nursing Reports will be on ensuring that the highest quality of evidence and contribution is made available to the greatest number of nurses. Nursing Reports aims to make original, evidence-based, peer-reviewed research available to the global community of nurses and to interested members of the public. In addition, reviews of the literature, open debates on professional issues and short reports from around the world are invited to contribute to our vibrant and dynamic journal. All published work will adhere to the most stringent ethical standards and journalistic principles of fairness, worth and credibility. Our journal publishes Editorials, Original Articles, Review articles, Critical Debates, Short Reports from Around the Globe and Letters to the Editor.