European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A GENETIC DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF SALIS IN ANDHRA PRADESH, SOUTH INDIA

P. Mohan Rao, M. Ramesh*, Geetha K. Konathala and G. Sudhakar

ABSTRACT

Salis is a Telugu weavers' caste or social group found largely in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. They are identified by different names in various regions throughout India. Salis are categorized into two endogamous subcastes, the Padmasalis and Pattusalis. The main objective of the study is to characterize the Sali population and to assess the relative roles of fertility and mortality differentials. Data from 520 families of Sali community, residing in and around Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts are recruited for the study. Data on demographic variables and reproductive history of woman were collected. The data was processed and analyzed by using software SPSS V.19. Both the Padmasalis and Pattusalis are found to be growing populations. The distorted tertiary sex ratios indicate that there is considerable migration of the males from the rural to the urban areas. The higher contribution of fertility component to the total index among the two subgroups supports the contention that due to lack of better living conditions and proper medical care, there has been a decrease of deaths among offspring, thereby enhancing the fertility component. The population pyramids are broad at the base and gradually narrow down at the peak, indicating the Padmasalis and Pattusalis are growing populations. The mean ages at menarche, marriage, first conception and menopause are found to be high among the PS-I than among the PS-II. The data is compared with the available caste populations of Andhra Pradesh, South India.

Keywords: Genetic Demography, Sali community, Sub-populations, Fertility and Mortality, South India.