2.5 Statistical analysis
Data were coded, entered and analysed using the Statistical Package for
Social Sciences (SPSS, version 24.0). All statistical tests were
two-sided, and P values of <0.05 were considered
statistically significant. Baseline demographics and clinical
characteristics of patients were compared using Chi square test for
categorical variables, and independent sample t-test for continuous
variables. When comparing continuous variables within research groups in
the same study arm, between baseline and end of the study, paired sample
t-test was used. For categorical variables, McNemar test was used to
compare the results within the same arm of study pre- and
post-intervention. And when comparing the continuous variables between
the different arms of the study, at baseline or at follow-up,
independent sample t-test was used, for comparing the categorical
variables Chi square test was used. Pearson correlation test was used to
find correlations between continuous data.
3. RESULTS