Unprotected sexual intercourse among youths in Nigeria is one of the significant public health concerns that continue to pose great social, economic, and health challenges to this African nation. Youths, which are the groups ranging from 10 to 24 years old, form a significant percentage of the Nigerian population. Due to the nature of their development during the stage of adolescence, youths are highly vulnerable to engage in any form of risky sexual activities. The adolescent age is the period of being curious, adventurous, and easily influenced by peer groups. It has recently been discovered in 2025 that most Nigerian youths engage in unprotected sex all the time.There are various reasons why youths engage in unprotected sexual intercourse in Nigeria. One of the major reasons is poor knowledge of sexual and reproductive health. This is because most youths are ignorant regarding the use of contraceptives due to the presence of cultural and religious inhibitions which hinder the discussion of sexual matters (Bokossa et al., 2025). Furthermore, peer influence is a contributing factor since most teenagers are influenced by their peers to begin sexual relations at a tender age.Other socio-economic determinants play a role in this situation. For instance, poverty and economic instability could drive some adolescents, especially teenage girls, into transactional sex where negotiation for condom use might be challenging. Additionally, the absence of youth-oriented reproductive healthcare services and contraception will lower chances of continuous use. Research reveals that despite availability of contraceptive methods, socio-cultural aspects like expense, confidentiality issues, and the disapproving stance of healthcare professionals hinder their use (Boakye et al., 2025). Another important determinant that affects adolescent sexual health is substance misuse, including alcohol and drugs.The negative impacts of unprotected sex in youths in Nigeria are diverse and numerous. The first and most immediate impact is the issue of unintended pregnancies, which, when unwanted, lead to the practice of unsafe abortions. Unsafe abortion practices are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among young women in Nigeria. Besides, unprotected sex poses the health risks of contracting STIs, including HIV/AIDS, one of the leading health threats in Nigeria (Duru et al., 2025).

Unprotected sexual intercourse has many more impacts apart from the obvious threat to health posed by STI and pregnancy complications. For example, teenage pregnancy leads to girls dropping out of school prematurely, limiting their education and future economic opportunities. This, in turn, causes a cycle of poverty that affects the entire society. Furthermore, teenagers who are pregnant face the stigma associated with such a situation, leaving them feeling isolated and depressed.The solution to the issue of the effects and causes of unprotected sex among youths in Nigeria needs to be a holistic and intersectoral one. The interventions that must be put in place include sexuality education, provision of accessible and affordable reproductive healthcare, and community-level programs. It will help equip youths with the knowledge to make informed choices regarding their sexual lives.

In summary, the issue of unprotected sex among Nigerian youths arises as a result of a number of factors including lack of proper education and socio-cultural reasons. Unprotected sex has serious effects on Nigerian youths.

(Free format)  Chapter one 

Introduction

1.1 Background to the study

1.2 Statement of the problem

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY       

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.5 HYPOTHESES

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

1.7   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY

1.9 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

                                                           CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 INTRODUCTION

2.2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter discusses the research methodology. It entails the method used to carry out the research work and also explains the research design that was used for the study, sample design, methods used in collecting data and how the results data are analyzed.

3.2 RESEARCH DESIGN

3.3 POPULATION OF STUDY

3.4 SAMPLING TECHNIQUE AND SAMPLE SIZE

3.5 SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION

3.6 DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT

3.7 VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE INSTRUMENT

3.8 METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS

   CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS, FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS