Gender-based violence has a negative impact on the physical and mental health of the victim, especially younger adults. Methodology: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States of Nigeria using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study population comprised young adults aged 15-39 years in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. The principal researcher and three field assistants administered 426 copies of the questionnaire to respondents.

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... e data were analyzed using Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences software (SPSS) version 22. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. Results: The majority of respondents 346(83.8%) knew that gender-based violence affects the health and wellbeing of victims; there were 267(64.6%) young adults who identified that gender-based violence poses both long-term and short-term effects on the health of the victims with 198(47.9%) who have suffered at least, one form of gender-based violence. Shame, (32.7%), anger, (27.8%), Bruises/injuries (25.2%) and low self-esteem (22.5) were the most frequently reported physical and emotional health effects of GBV. Many do not seek care due to shame. For those who sought care, counseling 97(49%), HIV/AIDS counselling and screening 66 (33.3%), STI screening 52(26.2%), and oral pills 24(12.2%) were some of the services accessed by victims. Discussion: This finding is consistent with reports from other GBV studies whose respondents suffered depression (48.8%), fear and anxiety (31.0%), which they argued were more serious conditions than the physical health impact of gender-based violence. Mental and emotional health outcomes of GBV are mostly invisible to others, making it harder for victims to seek help. Conclusion: Gender-based violence has negative impact on the physical and mental health of the victim, especially younger adults.