en Nursing Original Article <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><b>Background:</b> While intravenous injections are essential in life-saving situations, their routine use can lead to various complications, particularly phlebitis, which negatively impacts patients&#39; physical and psychological health. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of topical aloe vera gel compared to 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in preventing phlebitis associated with peripheral venous catheters.<br> <b>Methods:</b> This three-arm randomized controlled trial, executed in 2024 at a university-affiliated hospital situated in southern Iran, enrolled 90 hospitalized individuals receiving intravenous therapy. The study employed convenience sampling for participant recruitment, followed by permuted block randomization with a block size of six to allocate participants into three distinct groups, each comprising 30 patients. Aa (aloe vera group): Disinfection with 70% alcohol, and the catheter fixation with an adhesive dressing impregnated with aloe vera gel; Bb (chlorhexidine group): Disinfection with 70% alcohol and chlorhexidine, followed by fixation with a chlorhexidine-impregnated adhesive dressing; and C (control group): Disinfection with 70% alcohol and standard adhesive dressing. The catheter insertion site was systematically evaluated for the incidence of phlebitis using a standardized phlebitis checklist at discrete time points: 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 hours post-sampling. Statistical analysis of the collected data was performed employing SPSS version 25 statistical software. A significance threshold of &alpha; = 0.05 was adopted for all statistical tests, which included Chi-square tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).<br> <b>Results:</b> At 72 hours post-intervention, the incidence of phlebitis demonstrated a statistically significant disparity between the groups (p = 0.005). Conversely, no significant intergroup differences were evident in the manifestation of phlebitis symptoms at the 12-hour (p = 0.999), 24-hour (p = 0.493), 36-hour (p = 0.493), 48-hour (p = 0.186), and 60-hour (p = 0.064) time points after the intervention. Specifically, out of 30 participants in the aloe vera group, 12 (40%) remained asymptomatic for phlebitis&mdash;defined by the absence of redness, edema, pain, and vein induration&mdash;up to the 72-hour assessment. In comparison, the chlorhexidine group exhibited 5 (16.7%) patients, while the control group presented with only 2 (6.7%) patients who did not display phlebitis symptoms during this period.<br> <b>Conclusion</b>: Based on the observed outcomes, nurses may consider using aloe vera gel to reduce phlebitis in patients requiring catheterization for more than 48 hours, due to its anti-inflammatory properties and non-pharmacological benefits. However, this recommendation should be approached cautiously, pending further rigorous research to validate these initial findings and develop standardized guidelines. Future studies should investigate the long-term effects of aloe vera gel, compare its effectiveness with other interventions, and assess patient outcomes in various clinical settings to better understand its role in preventing phlebitis.</span></span></div> Aloe vera gel, Chlorhexidine, Phlebitis, Intravenous Catheter, Prevention 43 48 http://nmj.goums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-2029-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Mahdiyeh Harati Nassab mahdiyehharati742@gmail.com 100319475328460015271 0009-0003-1833-7939 No Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Sistan and Baluchistan, Iran Mozhgan Rahnama Rahnama2030@gmail.com 100319475328460015272 100319475328460015272 No Department of Nursing; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zabol University of Madical Sciences, Iran Abdolghani Abdollahimohammad abdalqani@gmail.com 100319475328460015273 100319475328460015273 No Department of Nursing; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zabol University of Madical Sciences, Iran Mahin Naderi Far mahin.naderifar@gmail.com 100319475328460015274 100319475328460015274 Yes Department of Nursing; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zabol University of Madical Sciences, Iran