Adolescence is a crucial period in human development (1) It can also be defined as a time when a person transitions from childhood to adulthood and experiences major changes in their biology, psychology, and social interactions (2). According to the WHO, adolescents are individuals in the 10–19-year age group (1, 3, 4). This means that all the students in high schools are adolescents. Young people at this stage are often tempted to engage in sexual activities. Sexual risk behaviors refer to any sexual activity that could increase a person's chance of contracting HIV or other STDs, as well as an unexpected pregnancy (5).

Some scholars consider behaviors associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unprotected sex, early sexual debut, and unexpected pregnancy as risky sexual behavior (6). According to the NHS, unprotected sex imposes a risk of pregnancy and contracting or spreading STIs, which include chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, HIV and syphilis. Anal sex is also listed as a risky sexual behavior because the lining of the anus is thin and can easily be damaged, which makes it more vulnerable to infection. Oral sex is another risky sexual behavior listed by the NHS (7). There is a high chance of getting infections when you have sores or cuts around the mouth, genitals or anus. Giving your partner oral sex when you are sick could expose them to the herpes virus. Herpes can also spread from the genitalia to the oral cavity (8, 9).

Teenage sexual activity is a global concern, and many secondary schools (where the majority of adolescents attend) find it difficult to regulate this risky sexual behavior (10). According to the WHO, 11% of births globally and 23% of the disease burden in Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) from pregnancy and childbirth among women of all ages are caused by teenage pregnancies (11).Worldwide, women under the age of 20 give birth to 13 million children, with more than 90% of these births occurring in poor nations (11).

In a survey carried out in the United States, it was observed that numerous high school students participate in sexually risky activities that increase their chance of contracting STIs, including HIV infection, and unplanned pregnancies. 39.5% of students nationwide reported having had sex at some point in their lives, while 9.7% reported having sex with four or more people (12). Tanzania has also experienced an increase in school dropouts due to pregnancy, with an estimated number of 28,600 girls leaving school due to pregnancy (13). In a survey carried out in Nigeria, it was discovered that teenagers are known for their risky sexual behaviors, which include multiple sexual partners, risky sexual behavior, and early sexual activity. Among the justifications offered for this are financial gain, enjoyment, peer pressure, curiosity, and others (14).

In South Africa it was discovered that between 50% and 60% of young people who are sexually active report never using condoms, the majority of school students who had ever had sex reported having no more than one partner in the previous year, with a persistent minority of between 1% and 5% of females and 10%–25% of males having more than four partners annually (15). In Zimbabwe's secondary schools, the number of school-age teenagers who participate in sexually risky behavior is clearly significant and is said to be more prevalent in urban (10). Adolescents at rural secondary schools are no longer exempt from this issue, which was previously assumed to be more noticeable in urban secondary schools, where cultural morals are thought to be less rigid due to the dissolution of traditional family structures and the spread of media technology (16).

In Bulawayo, teenage risk-taking is a big problem. Newspapers have been reporting on students secretly attending parties where 13-year-old girls are crowned for sleeping with more than ten men in one night, while boys receive US dollar notes for sleeping with the most girls in one event (16). These parties are known as Vuzu parties, and it is at these parties that teenagers abuse various drugs that are harmful to their health and engage in other risky and unacceptable behaviors (17). It is concerning that these activities are increasing despite efforts by the government and other stakeholders to launch massive sensitization programs and awareness campaigns to conscientize youths about the pitfalls associated with such behaviors. In fact, numerous programmatic interventions have been implemented to sensitize and raise awareness among these youths about the dire consequences of their actions, but the trend continues. However, there is limited research specifically addressing risky sexual behaviors among adolescents in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the prevalence and awareness of risky sexual behavior among the students in Bulawayo using a mixed-methods approach.

The convergent mixed-methods design is a significant strength of this study. The inclusion of a preliminary systematic review ensures the primary study is grounded in existing global evidence. The planned systematic review aims to synthesize a significant amount of global evidence, which is expected to yield several key findings. It is anticipated that the review will reveal considerable variation in the prevalence of risk-taking behaviors (RTB) among adolescents across different cultural and socioeconomic contexts. At the same time, it will likely identify a core set of influencing factors, including peer pressure, lack of parental supervision, socioeconomic disadvantage, substance use, and gaps in comprehensive sexual knowledge. The review is expected to highlight the severe consequences of these risk behaviors, particularly the increased risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended teenage pregnancies, and subsequent school dropouts. A critical outcome of the review will be the identification of effective intervention strategies, which may include school-based comprehensive sex education, youth-friendly health services, and community engagement programs. The synthesized evidence from this review will directly inform the development of the data collection instruments for the primary study, ensuring that both the quantitative survey and qualitative interview guides are based on global evidence tailored to investigate the most relevant factors within the context of Bulawayo.

In addition to its methodological contributions, the findings of this study are expected to have significant practical implications for public health policy and school-based programs in Bulawayo. The quantitative data will offer the first detailed, school-level overview of RSB prevalence in the city, advancing beyond anecdotal media coverage to provide evidence that can inform targeted interventions. For example, if the data indicate specific age groups (such as early adolescents in Form 1) or demographic subgroups with elevated risk profiles, resources can be allocated more effectively. Furthermore, the qualitative insights gathered from teachers and healthcare workers will shed light on the systemic and socio-cultural barriers that impede effective sexual health education, including curriculum deficiencies, cultural taboos, and insufficient teacher training.

This study aims to contribute significant theoretical insights into the ecosystem of adolescent risk behavior within the complex urban context of Africa. The phenomenon of “Vuzu parties” highlights a multifaceted interplay of factors such as poverty, peer pressure, gender dynamics, and identity exploration elements that may elude traditional behavioral models. Integrating quantitative data on prevalence rates with qualitative narratives that elucidate the perceived benefits and social pressures associated with these gatherings, we can construct a theoretical framework for understanding risk-seeking behavior in Bulawayo. Such a framework has the potential to inform the design of culturally relevant behavior-change communication strategies and peer education programs that directly address the local determinants of risky sexual behaviours.

We recognize that the study's cross-sectional design, while essential for establishing baseline data, restricts our ability to make causal inferences. Consequently, our discussion of the integrated findings will thoughtfully frame the observed associations within this limitation, avoiding assertions of causality. Instead, we will focus on the temporal and contextual relationships identified. Additionally, we will explicitly address the transferability of our findings. While the focus on in-school settings may limit generalization to all adolescents, the rich contextual details from our qualitative data will enable policymakers and practitioners in similar environments to assess the applicability of our results to their specific contexts.

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the National University of Science and Technology Institutional Review Board (Ref: NUST/IRB/2025/75). Given the sensitive nature of the research, several key ethical and safety measures will be implemented. For the quantitative survey, written informed consent will be obtained from parents or guardians, and written assent will be secured from all adolescent participants. For the qualitative interviews, informed consent will be obtained from all key informants. Anonymity and confidentiality will be rigorously maintained; no personally identifiable information will be collected in the questionnaires, and all data will be stored on password-protected computers. Participants will be informed of their right to withdraw at any time without penalty. To mitigate potential distress, a list of local counselling and support services will be provided to all participants.

This study aims to share its findings in various ways to effectively reach different audiences, including academics, policymakers, and community members. The main results will be submitted for publication in a recognised international journal focused on public health. Additionally, important findings will be shared during community meetings and workshops. A summary report, crafted in plain language, will be provided to the Bulawayo Provincial Education Office, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, and the participating schools. This approach is intended to guide local policy decisions and intervention strategies. De-identified quantitative dataset will be deposited in a public data repository (Zenodo) upon study completion to ensure data curation and availability for future research.

The anticipated findings from this study are expected to have significant implications. They are likely to validate concerns highlighted by media reports and preliminary studies about activities such as Vuzu parties, thereby providing concrete evidence to inform public health responses. Additionally, the results will play a crucial role in assessing the current state of sexual health education in schools, pinpointing gaps in accessibility, content, and effectiveness. Ultimately, the integrated evidence from all three phases is intended to establish a solid foundation for evidence-based interventions. These could encompass targeted peer-education programs, revised school curricula that address specific identified risk factors (e.g., substance abuse, peer pressure), and community engagement initiatives designed to counteract the normalisation of risky behaviours.

This study protocol acknowledges several potential limitations despite its comprehensive design. Firstly, the cross-sectional nature of both the quantitative and qualitative components means that the data only provide a snapshot in time, which inhibits the ability to establish causal relationships between variables. Additionally, the focus of the study on in-school adolescents excludes out-of-school youth, who may be at an even greater risk of engaging in risky sexual behaviours, potentially resulting in an underestimation of the true prevalence within the broader adolescent population. Finally, while the mixed-methods design is a strength, the success of integration depends on the researcher's interpretative rigour; we will mitigate this through peer debriefing during the analysis phase.