Level of Community Knowledge Regarding the Management of Disposal Mask Waste in Tanjungpinang Barat Sub-District, Tanjungpinang Barat

<p>Introduction: Wearing a mask has become a daily primary need for many people during the<br>Covid-19 pandemic and coused significant increase ofdisposable masks. A large number of<br>masks used creates new problems, if not managed properly will impact the environment.<br>Purpose: this study aimed knowledge of comunity regarding the management of disposal<br>masks waste. Methods: This is a analytic observational with a cross-sectional study design<br>approach. Datas collected using questionnaires survey. The variables were age, gender,<br>education, occupation, and waste management of masks. The number of population are 2557<br>families and 346 samples were chosen using proportional random sampling with standards<br>aged 15-64 years, willing to be respondents, and able to read and write as inclusions. Data<br>analysis using univariate and bivariate analysis with a chi-square test (α  0.05) was also<br>carried out to see the effect of variable characteristics of respondents on the management of<br>mask waste. Results: The study found no relationship between age, gender, education, and<br>occupation in managing waste masks, but there was a significant effect between knowledge<br>and waste management of disposable masks. Conclusion: The Health Office and local and<br>regional apparatus are expected to provide comprehensive education through socialization<br>or counseling to the community on how to properly manage disposable mask waste so as not<br>to pollute the environment and misuse mask waste.</p>