Table 2 Concerns of healthcare workers with regard to COVID-19 outbreak during the early phase of the epidemic, Uganda, April–May 2020 (N = 328)

Fear of contracting COVID-19 at workplace

I would feel endangered if a colleague contracted COVID-19

I am at risk of contracting COVID-19

I feel anxious at work

I am unsafe at work

I will eventually get COVID-19

Being absent will reduce my chances of contracting COVID-19

I feel helpless about contracting COVID-19

I feel I should avoid going to work to avoid contracting COVID-19

I do not feel safe even when I use standard IPC measures

I feel I should change job in future due to COVID-19 risk

Perceived workplace risks and conditions

My workplace would not support me if I contracted COVID-19

COVID-19 outbreak has increased my workload

Workload is not matched with staffing needs

There is no adequate PPE

I have not received adequate training on IPC

I feel overwhelmed by new COVID-19 regulations

I am not confident about IPC measures

There is no clear outbreak response plan

Fear of spreading COVID-19

I should social distance more than non-HCWs

I will likely transmit COVID-19 to family members

Stigma against self (internal) and others (external)

I would feel ashamed disclosing to colleagues if I contracted COVID-19

Family will not look after me if I contract COVID-19

I feel forced to care for COVID-19 patients

I would feel ashamed disclosing to my family if I contracted COVID-19