Factors Influencing Wild Mushroom Consumption Practices: a Case Study of a Community Experiencing Mushroom Poisoning Deaths

Abstract

Poisonous mushrooms are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Over the past five years,epidemiological data have shown that approximately one out of every ten patients dies. In 2024 (B.E.2567), Health Region 10 in Ubon Ratchathani Province reported the highest number of deaths (n=6),including a case involving a 10-year-old child. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with wild mushroom consumption behaviors among household representatives in a village where a child fatality occurred. A cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling, yielding 81 participants.Data were collected through structured interviews using a questionnaire that included sections on demographic characteristics, experience, knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors related to the consumption of wild mushrooms. Content validity was assessed by three experts, with item-objective congruence (IOC) indices ranging from 0.67 to 1.00. Reliability testing was conducted with 30 participants, yielding Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.75, 0.83, and 0.77 for knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors, respectively. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test, the latter applied when more than 20% of expected cell counts were less than five, to determine associations between independent and dependent variables. The results showed that most participants were female (82.7%), with an age range of 26 to 81 years. The majority had completed primary education (63.0%) and worked in agriculture (60.5%). The participants reported receiving knowledge about wild mushrooms from elderly community members (54.3%). Overall, participants demonstrated unsafe wild mushroom consumption practices, characterized by moderate to low levels of knowledge (49.4%), inappropriate beliefs (100.0%), and unsafe consumption behaviors (81.5%). Factors significantly associated with wild mushroom consumption behaviors (p<0.05) included educational level, exposure to knowledge transfer, and key individuals providing such knowledge. Therefore, health education interventions on wild mushrooms should be designed to be simple, practical, and aligned with community lifestyles. Emphasis should be placed on engaging local experts in wild mushrooms, while public health agencies should collaborate to promote accurate knowledge that can be effectively disseminated within communities.