Introduction

The outbreak of emerging diseases such as COVID-19 has caused a series of alterations in people, including nurses, who are in the first line of care. Some of the effects include the presence of anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia, and anguish.

Objective

Evaluate the level of uncertainty about COVID-19 disease in second-level nursing staff in Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico.

Methodology

Descriptive and cross-sectional study, in a sample of 160 nurses from public and private second-level care hospitals, non-probabilistic convenience sampling contacted via Facebook. Nurses in direct patient care were included, using the modified community version of the Illness Uncertainty Scale and a sociodemographic and occupational data questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and chi-square were used. The anonymity of the participants was respected.

Results

Most of the participants were women (87.5%), licensed nurses (63.1%), mean age 36.7 years (SD=8.5) and 36.9% had been in contact with COVID-19 patients. Total uncertainty was moderate in 56.9% and in nursing personnel in contact with COVID-19 patients it was 64.8%. A statistically significant relationship (p=≤0.05) was found between uncertainty and sex, schooling; COVID-19 training and use of personal protective equipment; availability of face shield and personal protective equipment; have taken COVID-19 course and have had contact with COVID-19 patients.

Conclusions

There was moderate uncertainty in the nursing personnel working at second-level care hospitals, with differences in personal variables, training and availability of material and equipment.

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