Assignment task:
Article: West, K. P., Jr, Katz, J., Khatry, S. K., LeClerq, S. C., Pradhan, E. K., Shrestha, S. R., Connor, P. B., Dali, S. M., Christian, P., Pokhrel, R. P., & Sommer, A. (1999). Double blind, cluster randomised trial of low dose supplementation with vitamin A or beta carotene on mortality related to pregnancy in Nepal. The NNIPS-2 Study Group. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 318(7183), 570-575.
Answer the following questions
Q1. The study is described as "double blind". What evidence was given to prove this occurred?
Q2. What were the exposure and outcome for this study and how were they described/defined?
Q3. What were the treatment and control groups and how were they randomized?
Q4. Based on the information provided in the article, did the investigators meet all their obligations to the study subjects? Why or why not? Address each one, providing specific examples.
Q5. Interpret the relative risk for beta carotene and mortality at 7-12 weeks post partum from Table 4.
Q6. What pieces of information were used to calculate the sample size needed for the study?