BACKGROUND:
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a global public health problem, particularly in sub-Saharan African countries, including Ethiopia. Despite the more serious problem, there is limited information in SE Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, & practice of HBV & associated factors among birth companions in the Bale zone of Ethiopia.

METHODS:
An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from birth companions who have frequent exposure to blood and body fluids from mothers in the labor, delivery, and PNC wards from March-April 2023. The ethical clearance was received from Madda Walabu University. After data collection was completed, the data were cleaned, coded, & entered into Epi Data version 3.4. Then, the data were exported to SPSS version 24. Variables with P < 0.25 were candidates for multivariable regression, and finally, the significance of association was declared at P values < 0.05 using AOR with their respective 95% CI

RESULTS:
This study shows that 234 (37.7%) have good knowledge. 533 (85.6%) have poor practice, and 465 (74.9%) have a negative attitude. The factors associated with HBV prevention KAP were health facility availability [AOR = 2.699 (95% CI: 1.067, 6.676)], good knowledge [AOR = 9.9 (95% CI: 4.704-21.13)], Residency; [AOR=2.023 (95% CI: 1.045, 3.919, Family job government employee [AOR=3.822(95% CI: 1.677-8.713)], & WI: [AOR=.41(.23,.725))].

CONCLUSIONS:
The general findings from the participants reveal that there was poor knowledge, attitude, and practice among birth companions. The factors associated with KAP of HBV prevention among birth companions were educational status, family job, distance from health facilities, residency, and wealth index. Therefore, we recommend increasing awareness, improving health facilities, & improving economic income to prevent HBV among birth companions better.