Statistical methods
The data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 23.0. A pairwise analysis (9) was done
to determine where the differences exist between the groups. Pairwise analysis (betamethasone VS placebo, dexamethasone vs placebo, betamethasone vs dexamethasone) was done for statistical analysis. The socio-demographic characteristics, reproductive profile, and perinatal characteristics of the women and their neonates in the group were compared with students t-test for continuous variables and Pearson’s Chi Square (χ2) test and Fisher’s test for discrete variables with normal distribution and Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables or those with non-normal distribution. P values for all tests were two tailed and the level of significance was defined at 5%. Relative risk with confidence interval was used to determine the effects of corticosteroid treatment on perinatal and maternal outcomes. Maternal and perinatal characteristics of the participants that were statistically significant between the groups were subjected to logistic regression to determine their effect on the statistically significant outcome measures.