Melanie Gibson-Helm

Melanie Gibson-Helm


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

13Years (2014-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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21 September 2020 in PLOS Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RBRebecca Blackmore
Rebecca Blackmore
JBJacqueline A. Boyle
Jacqueline A. Boyle
MFMina Fazel
Mina Fazel
SRSanjeeva Ranasinha
Sanjeeva Ranasinha
KGKylie M. Gray
Kylie M. Gray
MGMelanie Gibson-Helm
Melanie Gibson-Helm
Globally, the number of refugees and asylum seekers has reached record highs. Past research in refugee mental health has reported wide variation in mental illness prevalence data, partially attributable to methodological limitations. This systematic review aims to summarise the current body of evidence for the prevalence of mental illness in global refugee populations and overcome methodological limitations of individual studies. A comprehensive search of electronic databases was undertaken from 1 January 2003 to 4 February 2020 (MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, EBM Reviews, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, PILOTS, Web of Science). Quantitative studies were included if diagnosis of mental illness involved a clinical interview and use of a validated assessment measure and reported at least 50 participants. Study quality was assessed using a descriptive approach based on a template according to study design (modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale). Random-effects models, based on inverse variance weights, were conducted. Subgroup analyses were performed for sex, sample size, displacement duration, visa status, country of origin, current residence, type of interview (interpreter-assisted or native language), and diagnostic measure. The systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD) 42016046349. The search yielded a result of 21,842 records. Twenty-six studies, which included one randomised controlled trial and 25 observational studies, provided results for 5,143 adult refugees and asylum seekers. Studies were undertaken across 15 countries: Australia (652 refugees), Austria (150), China (65), Germany (1,104), Italy (297), Lebanon (646), Nepal (574), Norway (64), South Korea (200), Sweden (86), Switzerland (164), Turkey (238), Uganda (77), United Kingdom (420), and the United States of America (406). The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was 31.46% (95% CI 24.43–38.5), the prevalence of depression was 31.5% (95% CI 22.64–40.38), the prevalence of anxiety disorders was 11% (95% CI 6.75–15.43), and the prevalence of psychosis was 1.51% (95% CI 0.63–2.40). A limitation of the study is that substantial heterogeneity was present in the prevalence estimates of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and limited covariates were reported in the included studies. This comprehensive review generates current prevalence estimates for not only PTSD but also depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Refugees and asylum seekers have high and persistent rates of PTSD and depression, and the results of this review highlight the need for ongoing, long-term mental health care beyond the initial period of resettlement.

1 June 2020 in Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
RBRebecca Blackmore
Rebecca Blackmore
KGKylie M. Gray
Kylie M. Gray
JBJacqueline A. Boyle
Jacqueline A. Boyle
MFMina Fazel
Mina Fazel
SRSanjeeva Ranasinha
Sanjeeva Ranasinha
MGMelanie Gibson-Helm
Melanie Gibson-Helm

3 October 2019 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DHDanielle Hiam
Danielle Hiam
AMAlba Moreno-Asso
Alba Moreno-Asso
HTHelena Jane Teede
Helena Jane Teede
JLJoop S.E. Laven
Joop S.E. Laven
NSNigel Stepto
Nigel Stepto
MGMelanie Gibson-Helm
Melanie Gibson-Helm
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex condition with mechanisms likely to involve the interaction between genetics and lifestyle. Familial clustering of PCOS symptoms is well documented, providing evidence for a genetic contribution to the condition. This overview aims firstly to systematically summarise the current literature surrounding genetics and PCOS, and secondly, to assess the methodological quality of current systematic reviews and identify limitations. Four databases were searched to identify candidate gene systematic reviews, and quality was assessed with the AMSTAR tool. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were identified by a semi structured literature search. Of the candidate gene systematic reviews, 17 were of high to moderate quality and four were of low quality. A total of 19 gene loci have been associated with risk of PCOS in GWAS, and 11 of these have been replicated across two different ancestries. Gene loci were located in the neuroendocrine, metabolic, and reproductive pathways. Overall, the gene loci with the most robust findings were THADA, FSHR, INS-VNTR, and DENND1A, that now require validation. This overview also identified limitations of the current literature and important methodological considerations for future genetic studies. Much work remains to identify causal variants and functional relevance of genes associated with PCOS.

27 March 2014 in BMC Women's Health
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LBLauren K Banting
Lauren K Banting
MGMelanie Gibson-Helm
Melanie Gibson-Helm
RPRemco Polman
Remco Polman
HTHelena Jane Teede
Helena Jane Teede
NSNigel Stepto
Nigel Stepto
Physical activity is prescribed as a component of primary management for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This study investigates the association between physical activity and mental health as well as the exercise barriers, motivators and support providers for younger women with and without PCOS to assist in physical activity uptake and prescription for these women.

18 November 2016 in Implementation Science
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
NNNishani Nithianandan
Nishani Nithianandan
MGMelanie Gibson-Helm
Melanie Gibson-Helm
JMJacquie McBride
Jacquie McBride
ABAmanda Binny
Amanda Binny
KGKylie M. Gray
Kylie M. Gray
JBJacqueline A. Boyle
Jacqueline A. Boyle
For women of refugee background, the increased risk of mental illness associated with pregnancy is compounded by pre- and post-settlement stressors. In Australia, antenatal screening for depression and anxiety symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is recommended for all women. Despite this, screening is not routinely implemented and little is known about barriers and enablers to implementation for women of refugee background. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a range of health professionals (n = 28: midwives, obstetricians, perinatal mental health and refugee health experts, interpreters) and women of refugee background (n = 9). Themes generated from thematic analysis were examined in relation to the Theoretical Domains Framework and Cultural Competence Conceptual Framework, followed by identification of effective behaviour change techniques to address the barriers and enablers identified by participants. These techniques formed the basis of recommendations to inform sustainable implementation of screening and referral. Almost all participants perceived perinatal mental health screening to be necessary and most recognised the importance of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screening. Barriers and enablers were identified and related to eight domains: knowledge, skills, professional roles, beliefs about capabilities and consequences, environmental context, social influences and behavioural regulation. This research clarifies how mental health screening may be integrated into routine antenatal care for women of refugee background, in order to improve provision of recommended care. These theory-informed recommendations include an inter-disciplinary approach, coordinating care within and across services, addition of PTSD screening, and effective communication with women.

1 January 2018 in Seminars in Reproductive Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
ETEliza Tassone
Eliza Tassone
HTHelena J. Teede
Helena J. Teede
ADAnuja Dokras
Anuja Dokras
RGRhonda Garad
Rhonda Garad
MGMelanie Gibson-Helm
Melanie Gibson-Helm
This article aims to identify and summarize the information, resource, and education needs of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and their healthcare providers. A systematic search of peer-reviewed, primary research literature was conducted. A total of 4,230 articles were identified, duplicates were removed, as well as the title and abstract of 2,819 studies and the full texts of 123 studies were screened against predetermined inclusion criteria. Findings from 35 included studies are described narratively. Main outcome measures include women's perceived needs for, and experiences of, PCOS care and information; healthcare providers' delivery of PCOS care and information; and healthcare providers' perceived needs for PCOS information, education programs, or professional development. There is a wealth of literature informing how PCOS information, education, and resources can better meet the needs of women, and about the role women expect healthcare providers to play in providing information within optimal PCOS care. However, few studies evaluate how well existing resources meet women's diverse needs. There is growing indirect evidence about the information and education needed by healthcare providers to provide best-practice PCOS care. However, little research has directly investigated healthcare providers' information needs or efficacy of PCOS-specific educational programs for healthcare providers. PCOS resources for women should be comprehensive, evidence-based, include the bio-psychosocial dimensions of the condition, and available through a variety of modes. The range of healthcare providers that women may seek care from need resources to support consistent use of the recommended diagnostic criteria, effective recommendation of lifestyle management, and early detection and treatment of symptoms and complications.