Noncungu, Thabani MSibindi, ThandiChipps, JenniferCrowley, Talitha2026-08-212026-08-212026Noncungu, T.M., Sibindi, T., Chipps, J. and Crowley, T., 2026. Maternal health literacy programmes to improve self-care of pregnant women in Africa: A scoping review. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 30(12), p.115.https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2026/v30i12.12https://hdl.handle.net/10566/25243Midwives are uniquely positioned to implement health literacy programmes, yet there is limited synthesis of existing midwife-led health literacy programmes for pregnant women in Africa. This scoping review maps the evidence on health literacy programmes to improve the self-care of pregnant women in Africa. Eight articles, published between 2015 and 2025, were included across African countries from six electronic databases, such as MEDLINE and one search engine: Google Scholar. Maternal health literacy programmes varied in mode of delivery, duration, components, and outcomes. Most programmes used a group antenatal care model, a combination of face-to-face and digital health tools, and focused on improving functional, interactive, and critical health literacy. Maternal health literacy programmes in African countries seem to be under-researched. More research is needed to strengthen the outcomes of programmes such as usability and acceptability, knowledge and awareness, and clinical outcomes. In addition, longer-term research is necessary to assess the implementation and sustained impact of these programmes. African Journal of Reproductive Health.enAfricaMaternal health literacy programmePregnant womenScoping reviewSelf-careArticle