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.