Aim: To investigate the support of residents in China for the provision of AEDs in public places and the factors affecting support.

Subject and methods: A cross–sectional study was conducted with questionnaires among residents of 120 sampled cities, and ANOVA analysis and stepwise regression were used to assess the factors related to the public’s intention for the provision of AEDs in public places.

Results: 11,031 valid questionnaires. In the overall population, the mean score of public support for the provision of AEDs was 80.31. Female (β=0.070, P<0.001), highly educated groups[undergraduate (β=0.066, P<0.001), and graduate (β=0.042, P=0.002)], and those who had higher scores on social support (β=0.050, P=0.002), family health (β=0.238, P<0.001) and health literacy (β=0.073, P<0.001), had higher support for provision of AEDs in public. In a subgroup analysis of gender and place of residence, gender, literacy, presence of emergency necessities in the household, family type, social support, family health, and health literacy were factors that influenced support for AEDs.

Conclusion: Residents’ willingness to support the provision of AEDs was generally high. Gender, education level, social support, family health, and health literacy were the main factors influencing their willingness to support. The government can develop AED-related policies based on the findings of the study.