Objective:

To describe the uncertainty experiences of young people with renal failure with dialysis treatment.

Material and Method:

Ethnographic study in Guadalajara, Mexico. Twelve young people with renal failure and on peritoneal dialysis participated. Narrative interviews and participant observation were conducted. Hermeneutical analysis was performed.

Results:

Two types of uncertainty were identified: personal and medical. The sources of personal uncertainty were bodily changes, identity and role reconfiguration, lack of material resources and when thinking about future projects. The sources of medical uncertainty were lack of information, the initiation and management of treatment, and the progress of the disease.

Conclusions:

Uncertainty becomes a constant in the patients’ lives and management is influenced by the material resources and social supports they receive.

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