Background Postnatal depression (PND) has become a world-wide public health problem. Maternal Child Health Centers (MCHCs) provide maternal and child healthcare with community-based Comprehensive Child Development Services (CCDS) aimed for early identification for provision of appropriate referral for intervention. There were 13.8% suspected PND cases in 2011(Department of Health PND Report, 2011). Antenatal Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) has found efficacious for high depression risk (HDR) pregnant women. Evidence-based practice (EBP) antenatal IPT guideline best suited for MCHCs implementation. Purpose This dissertation intends to develop an effective EBP antenatal IPT guideline for HDR pregnant women, and to offer plans for implementation and evaluation. Methods Six electronic databases searched for updated relevant studies. Randomized controlled trails (RCTs) with antenatal IPT intervention for HDR pregnant women targeted. Evidence data related to EBP guideline development were extracted for critical appraisal. Program implementation potentials assessed for transferability, feasibility and cost-benefit ratio. Guideline with level of evidence and recommendation grading developed. Communication plan for different stakeholders and potential users were developed. Pilot test planned for process evaluation. Impact evaluation, outcome evaluation and economic evaluation planned to verify empirical evidences to initial changes in MCHCs. Results Eight RCTs studies, which compare group receiving antenatal IPT intervention with routine antenatal education group, were reviewed. Target population was HDR pregnant women. Antenatal IPT intervention found effective for HDR pregnant women with PND. The studies suggest antenatal IPT intervention give0.89 reductions in EPDS, improved psychological well-being, 0.77 reductions in GHQ and improved role competence2.43 increases in PSOC-E. After critical appraisal of reviewed studies, antenatal IPT guideline developed. Pregnant women should be screened between 20 to 32 gestation weeks. Those with EPDS≥13 scores should enrolled into two 2-hour antenatal IPT program educated by trained nurse educators in class size ≤10. Those refusing to join the program receive routine education. Three-point measurements of EPDS, GHQ and PSOC-E at baseline, postnatal 6 to 8 weeks and 3 to 6 months of both groups are conducted. Postnatal EPDS ≥13 participants referred for psychiatric services upon their consent. Program will propose implementation in MCHCs. Steering Committee is established and communicates with various stakeholders. Pilot test implement in one MCHC and reviewed for clinical applicability, feasibility and to obtain process evaluation for quality improvement. Program should have quasi-experimental non- equivalent pretest-posttest control group and analyze data with ‘two-sample t-test’, ‘paired t-tests’ and ‘chi-square test’. Target achievement should be: i. Primary outcomes: EPDS score reduced to0.89, GHQ reduced to0.77 and PSOC-E score increased to2.43; ii. Secondary outcomes: Reduction of PND incidence and PND management caseloads by 20%. Participants’ gestation ages, program attendance and satisfactory rates recorded. Economic evaluation indicates for every $1invested, the return is $8.45, program is a sound investment suggested. Conclusions Eight RCT studies provide evidence that antenatal IPT program is effective for HDR pregnant women in reducing PND, and in promoting higher maternal role efficacy level and psychological well-being. Implementation of this EBP program guideline can potentially help PND prevention and ease antenatal depression management of HDR pregnant women in MCHCs. / published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing