Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Peer Pressure Control among Students of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki: Need for Computer-Based Real-Time Monitoring System

This research assessed the level of peer influences among the students of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki and the existing policy framework in the University to control its negative impact. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of peer pressure influence control among the students of the institution. Methodology: We used a cross-sectional design, a structured questionnaire of a five-point Likert scale as a veritable instrument for collecting the data from 30 student respondents. The questionnaire was made up of four key sections comprising student’s demographic parameters, knowledge, attitude and practice of students on the subject matter. Data collected was analyzed in a table of descriptive statistics to determine the total, range, mean and median, which were used to ascertain students’ level of knowledge, attitude, practice and countermeasures to overcome negative peer influences emanating from their peers. Results: The mean value outcome of knowledge of students fall between 2.7 to 3.3, the mean value for attitude of student falls between 2.4 to 3.6, while the practice of students falls between mean value 2.7 and 3.2. Most of these outcomes represents poor or weak weight factor which requires several levels of interventions. Conclusion: This study highlights the overriding importance of peer pressure management among the students of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki to create a safe academic environment and guarantee higher academic performances. This research recommended that the University management should commission research on peer pressure among students, the causes, manifestations and possible remedies to enable them to develop a comprehensive framework for the University.