Statistical analysis

The data were analyzed using STATA Version 13. Chi-square tests were conducted on the following maternal baseline characteristics: parity, marital status, education, antenatal care attendance days, mode of delivery, method used to assess gestational age, maternal infection, maternal antibiotics and level of health facility. There analyses were used to investigate differences between women who received ACS and those who did not. Differences in perinatal outcomes between infants exposed to ACS and those who were not were examined using fishers exact test and chi-square tests where appropriate. T-tests were used to determine if there were differences in mean maternal age, mean gestational age and birth weight. Modified Poisson regressions were used to investigate the associations between ACS exposure and perinatal outcomes, as well as factors associated with the administration of ACS. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to examine the effects of administration of ACS on perinatal outcomes, controlling for factors with significant associations (gestational age, birth weight, level of health facility, multiple pregnancy and delivery mode). P-values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Data are presented as frequencies (percentages), means (standard deviations) and relative risks with 95% confidence intervals as appropriate.