Socio-cultural factors associated with mushroom consumption among tea garden population of Dibrugarh, Assam

Background: Major challenge with climate change in India is sustaining food supply for economically disadvantaged leading to widespread malnutrition and related illnesses. Aim of the study was to assess the socio-cultural factors associated with mushroom consumption among tea garden population of Dibrugarh, Assam. Methods: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted in which 6 tea gardens were selected based on high mushroom consumption. From each selected tea garden, 35 households were covered using simple random sampling technique and data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire. Results: Majority (61.72%) of the respondents were males, 69.04% belonged to lower middle socioeconomic status (class IV). Easy availability (80%) during monsoon was common reason for consumption. Most of them (95.71%) used traditional identification methods. Traditional cooking methods were followed, with the assumption that those rendered all mushroom edible. Majority believed that lemon could dilute toxins in case of accidental poisoning. Conclusions: There was a need to make community aware of scientific identification of edible mushroom to prevent morbidities and mortalities arising out of it.