EFFECT OF SELF MEDICATION PRACTICE AMONG TIIE ELDERLY IN JOS NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT

This study assesses the effect of self-medication practice among the elderly in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State. The study specifically sought to examine the effect of selfmedication among the elderly in Jos North Local Government Area; the nature of this practice, factors that lead to its occurrence, it's effect and possible ways and solutions to manage the practice in Jos North. The study adopted social survey design which allowed the researcher to use the Taro Yemeni (1967) formula. The study adopted the triangulation method where questionnaire and interview were the instrument of data collection. From the data collected, analyzed and presented, the study discovered that, self-medication practice is a common phenomenon in Jos North and the elderly are the group mostly involved in such act. The study discovered that the major causes of the practice are: Illiteracy, Greediness, Poverty, and Tight schedule. More so, self-medication practice has dire impact on the people such that it has caused loss of lives of victims, and exposure to new diseases other than the one been cured for. It is therefore recommended that, government should have banned sellers of drugs without prescription, provide facilities that will enable both the elite and non-elite to have access to healthcare services.